Hilton aims for budget city hotels

Published on Friday 30 May 2008 10:33

EDINBURGH is in line to get three of Scotland's first "budget" Hilton hotels.

The hotel giant is looking to bring the successful US brands to Scotland for the first time – and is lining up a number of sites in the Capital.

Hilton Hotels Corporation wants to make Doubletree, Garden Inn and Hampton household names in the UK.

The brands – which usually offer rooms at a discounted rate to the main Hilton brand – are to be the main focus of the company's growth in the coming years. And it is in discussions about key sites in the city centre, as well as outlying areas and business parks.

Its interest in new sites in the city comes at the same time as a 22 million refurbishment of the Hilton Caledonian and follows a 1m investment in the Hilton Grosvenor in Haymarket.

John Rogers, Hilton's operational vice-president for the North, said: "We are actively looking for development in all four of our brands in Edinburgh and I would be very surprised if that didn't happen.

"We are working on a very large number of potential opportunities. There are people who love the existing brands and want the same fantastic food and beverage but not necessarily all the traditional service elements to allow for a lower price.

"We've been besieged with opportunities and enquiries and we have got a very big opportunity now."

The Hampton brand focuses on reducing the service involved to allow cheaper prices, while Garden Inn is a mid-market city chain offers business-focused facilities including free wi-fi internet and 24-hour dining. Doubletree hotels are mainly focused on giving families a relaxed atmosphere.

VisitScotland regional director Sinead Guerin said the bid was "excellent news" for Edinburgh.

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PIPELINE

Sites for hotel development:

George IV Bridge: Rezidor Hotel, being built.

Newbridge: Premier Inn and Novotel, being built.

Bristo Square: Hotel du Vin, being built.

Quartermile: "Boutique" hotel, planning consent granted.

Caltongate: Planning consent granted.

Edinburgh Park: Planning consent granted.

Former Morrison Goods Yard, Haymarket: Two hotels (five-star and three-star), planning application in.

St James Centre: Outline planning application in.

St Andrew Square: Ukio Bankas bought former RBS site, planning application to be submitted.