Dubai-based wasl Hospitality has signed a deal with Hilton Worldwide to introduce the mid-priced hotel brand, Hilton Garden Inn, to the UAE for the first time.

As per the agreement, theu duo will open Hilton Garden Inn brand at two prominent locations in Dubai by early 2015 and add an extra 365 rooms to the emirate’s burgeoning hospitality market.

The hospitality giant had redefined the mid-priced lodging category with the introduction of the Hilton Garden Inn brand in the mid-90’s. The brand offers quality services and amenities for smart, value-conscious business and savvy, lesiure travellers.

Adrian Kurre, the global head of Hilton Garden Inn said: "We are excited to add two impressive properties to our expanding hotel portfolio and proud to introduce the brand to the UAE for the first time."

"Hilton Garden Inn has consistently set the guest standard in the mid-priced sector and I am confident our award winning combination of best-in-class customer service together with affordable comfort and convenience will prove successful in Dubai’s dynamic hospitality market," he stated.

The 182-room Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Mina, located between the well-known districts of Bur Dubai and Jumeirah, will appeal to all travel sectors, explained Kurre.

"Convenient access to Port Rashid, Dubai’s largest and expanding port and dry docks, as well as the city’s convention centre and Dubai International Financial Centre will be appreciated by the business traveller. Leisure visitors will also enjoy the hotel’s close proximity to the famous Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower," he added.

Located in the busy heart of Deira, Dubai’s original and historic district, the 183-room Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat will be surrounded by bustling streets filled with traditional souks, mosques, museums and shops.

The hotel will also enjoy convenient access to the diplomatic district of the city as well as Dubai International Airport, one of the fastest growing airports in the world.  

“We are delighted to have entered an agreement with Hilton Worldwide to operate two new mid-range hotels in the heart of established areas of Dubai,” remarked Hesham Al Qassim, the CEO of wasl Asset Management Group, the parent company of wasl Hospitality.

“This sector of the market will become increasingly important following Dubai’s naming as host city for Expo 2020. We anticipate greater demand for four-star accommodation across the city once the countdown to the global exhibition begins and hotels, such as those announced today, will play an increasingly important role in the city’s future hospitality infrastructure,” he added.  

In recent years, the Hilton Garden Inn brand has enjoyed repeated award winning success in recognition of the brand’s superior customer service and facilities, at a level often found in pricier hotels.

Both Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Mina and Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat will feature a range of inviting guest amenities including a health club, an outdoor pool, a business centre, ample flexible meeting space and complimentary hi-speed internet access.

The welcome in-room relaxation of  a Garden Sleep System bed as well as an ergonomic desk chair are also included as part of Hilton Garden Inn’s award winning quality attributes.   Both properties will feature an all day dining option together with a lobby lounge.  

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide MEA said the agreement marks a special milestone for the company with the prospect of all five regional company brands open for business in the UAE by 2015.

"This is a key development and underlines our support of the UAE tourism vision to provide greater visitor choice from the elegant and superior luxury of Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels & Resorts to the affordable, stylish hospitality from our Hilton Garden Inn brand,” he added.

The emirate cotinues to be the Middle East’s tourism hotspot with over 7.9 million visitors recorded in the first nine months of 2013 and a vision to attract a total of 20 million visitors per year by 2020, said Al Qassim.

"The two new hotels will represent the quality and style of one of the industry’s most recognised global hospitality companies, reflecting the high standards we set ourselves for our hospitality portfolio," he added.-TradeArabia News Service