Hilton plans aggressive roll-out of Garden Inn brand in UK

Hilton hotels plans to aggressively expand its mid-range Garden Inn brand in the UK and internationally.

The group, which opened its first UK Hilton Garden Inn in Luton last month, said it plans to expand the US brand at a rate of between "15 and 20 hotels in the next five years", while admitting the financial market had "slowed the group] down a notch".

Bar Luton and Aberdeen airport no other UK locations have yet been revealed by Hilton.

Mark Nogel, vice-president of sales and support for Garden Inn, said it was "looking at locations in office parks, airport locations and some city centres", similar to its sites in the USA.

He also spoke of the group's international plans to expand: "We currently have three hotels in Italy, with four more planned and one open in Germany with another due to open at Frankfurt airport. Our first site in Russia opens this year, with one set to open next year in Delhi.

The group also has plans to expand in Poland, Portugal, and Spain.

Garden Inns are pitched between economy and full service hotels, and typically carry a three-diamond rating in the USA. In the UK Hilton claims it will be gunning for the likes of Accor's Novotel.

The hotels include complimentary Wi-Fi in all guest rooms, a gym or a stay fit kit that allows customers to work out in their bedroom, and room service is available between 5-10pm.

Hilton plans more hotels over next five years >>

Hilton Hotels signs Doubletree deal for Scotland >>

Hilton opens first non-American Doubletree hotel in Cambridge >>

Hilton to launch Hilton Garden Inn brand in Perm >>

First Hampton by Hilton set to open in UK >>

First UK Hilton Garden Inn announced >>

By Gemma Sharkey

E-mail your comments to Gemma Sharkey here.