Hilton Hotels Corporation is proud to announce the signing today of a management agreement that represents the entry of the Doubletree by Hilton brand into Scotland. This agreement will see the historic Dunblane Hydro Hotel receive a multi-million-pound enhancement project before joining the upscale, full-service brand in 2010.
Hilton Hotels Corporation and its subsidiaries will manage the hotel under the Doubletree by Hilton brand and Ability Hotels (Dunblane) Ltd., a member of The Ability Group, will own the hotel.
Set within and around 10 acres of gardens of an impressive Italianate, Victorian mansion,
Dunblane Hydro is one of Scotland's best known hotels. Located in the idyllic Perthshire countryside, but just 45 minutes from Edinburgh and Glasgow, this legendary hotel provides 206 bedrooms and suites; superb conference, meeting and banqueting space; and an array of leisure facilities.
Hotels across the Doubletree by Hilton portfolio pride themselves on a longstanding tradition of distinctively designed properties that reflect the local area, the warm welcome of the brand’s legendary chocolate chip cookie at check-in, the rewards of the prestigious Hilton HHonors® loyalty programme* and a unique and caring commitment to the communities in which they operate.
This announcement follows the debut of the first Doubletree by Hilton hotel to open outside the Americas -- Doubletree by Hilton Cambridge Garden House -- in April. The brand already has a collection of more than 45,000 rooms in nearly 200 locations throughout the Americas.
“Doubletree by Hilton looks forward to expanding its unique worldwide spirit of hospitality in Scotland with the same core attributes, along with impeccable service with a sense of contemporary style and individuality,” said Dave Horton, Senior Vice President – Brand Management for Doubletree by Hilton. “This hotel opening represents yet another important milestone in our brand’s worldwide development and complements our upcoming openings in Milan, Italy and Kosice, Slovakia by year-end.”
“Dunblane is an ideal location for the first Doubletree by Hilton hotel in Scotland with easy access to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Dunblane Hydro was an excellent site to convert into a Doubletree by Hilton with it already being an established hotel with an excellent reputation, said Simon Vincent, Area President UK & Ireland. “We believe Doubletree’s success in the US will be continued here, with our development effort already geared up to identify new conversion opportunities for Doubletree by Hilton hotels. The brand is a great fit for owners who want the benefits of an affiliation without losing out on individuality. We are aiming to have at least 20 Doubletree by Hilton hotels within the UK & Ireland in the next five to ten years.”
Hilton currently has 11 hotels across Scotland including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dunkeld and Aberdeen, with plans announced earlier this year to build a new £18 million 175-bedroom Hilton Garden Inn at Aberdeen Airport. The announcement today of the first Doubletree by Hilton in Scotland is reflective of plans for further expansion north of the border.
“We are delighted to be teaming up with Hilton yet again. Dunblane Hydro is a fabulously unique hotel in an excellent location now partnered with a fresh and exciting brand,” said Andreas Panayiotou, Chairman of The Ability Group. “We are proud to be launching the first Doubletree by Hilton in Scotland, especially so soon after our first Doubletree by Hilton located in Cambridge. We believe that our guests will find the welcoming nature and lifestyle approach of the Doubletree by Hilton brand in harmony with the setting of the hotel.”
