Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with Grupo Zarate S.A. to operate the first Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Argentina. The new-build Hilton Garden Inn Zarate, in Argentina’s Buenos Aires province, represents the company’s fourth development deal in Argentina and is scheduled to open in Q1 2013. This will be the brand’s second hotel in South America following the upcoming opening of Hilton Garden Inn Santiago Airport in Chile at the end of the month.

“We are proud to add the Hilton Garden Inn Zarate to our South American portfolio as it complements our existing Hilton Buenos Aires property in the city,” commented Tom Potter, area vice president, South America, Hilton Worldwide. “This latest hotel deal and the upcoming opening of Hilton Garden Inn Santiago Airport demonstrate our continued interest in expanding our presence throughout the region.”

Forming part of the award-winning, mid-priced brand that delivers high quality and value, the Hilton Garden Inn Zarate will form part of a mixed-use development project strategically located at approximately 50 miles from the city of Buenos Aires.

The hotel will feature 159 guest rooms all with the Garden Sleep System® allowing guests to adjust the firmness and softness of the bed, ergonomic Mirra® chair by Herman Miller, LCD high-definition, flat-screen television, easy-to-set alarm clock with MP3 connectivity, a spacious work desk and a “hospitality center” that features a mini refrigerator and coffee maker.

For dining options, the hotel will offer a bar, full-service restaurant with seating for 100 and the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® shop with a selection of delicious readymade meals, beverages and snacks. Recreational facilities include outdoor and indoor swimming pools, sun deck and tennis courts. The hotel will also provide a fitness center featuring Precor® cardio and strength training equipment, and Stay Fit Kits® that can be checked out from the hotel front desk and enable guests to do yoga, Pilates and core workouts in the privacy of their guestroom or in the workout facility.

Travelers to the Hilton Garden Inn Zarate will also have access to approximately 4,300 square feet of meeting space, as well as signature Hilton Garden Inn brand attributes such as complimentary Wi-Fi and a 24-hour business center. The hotel will provide parking for 160 cars, while the overall development project will feature a nearly 54,000 square foot convention center and over 32,000 square feet of commercial space.

The complex will also incorporate 144 residential condominiums, each with terrace and grill and sharing common areas including a sun deck, pool and underground parking for each unit.

The city of Zarate is considered a privileged location, not only because of its industrial business strength, but also due to its proximity to Route 193 - the Mercosur highway. The city is located at one end of the Zarate Brazo Largo bridge, which connects Buenos Aires with the province of Entre Rios which then connects with Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay to the East and with Chile to the West.

In Argentina, Hilton Worldwide currently manages Hilton Buenos Aires in Puerto Madero, and has two hotels under development: Hilton Iguazu Resort and Hilton Ushuaia. Hilton Worldwide is also expanding throughout the region with expected openings in destinations such as Santiago, Chile; Bogota, Colombia; Panama City, Panama; Lima Peru; Salvador da Bahia, Brazil; and several key cities in Mexico, among others.

The Hilton Garden Inn Zarate will participate in Hilton HHonors®, the only guest rewards program that allows members to earn Points & Miles® for the same stay and redeem points for free nights with No Blackout Dates at more than 3,700 hotels worldwide.