LONDON and MCLEAN, Va. – Hilton Worldwide and EQ Group today announced an agreement to open DoubleTree by Hilton London – Kingston upon Thames. Acquired by EQ Group and affiliates, the hotel is set to open in the second half of 2016 following a multi-million pound fit out. The hotel will be asset managed by EQ Hotels Limited under a franchise agreement with Hilton Worldwide and operated by Interstate Europe Hotels & Resorts' UK division.
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide said, "Our fastest growing full service brand has added Chelsea, Islington and Docklands to its roster of top locations in the capital in the last 12 months. DoubleTree by Hilton London – Kingston upon Thames joins nearly 30 hotels under the brand across the UK. The hotel will form a major component of a new mixed-use scheme, responding to the diverse needs of visitors to the borough."
Situated 12 miles south west of central London, Kingston is an affluent borough, increasingly popular with corporate businesses choosing to expand in Greater London. The new hotel is located adjacent to the River Thames in the heart of Kingston town centre, on the prominent corner of Skerne Road and Down Hall Road, opposite the Bentall Shopping Centre and a five minute walk from Kingston station. DoubleTree by Hilton London – Kingston upon Thames will offer 146 rooms and suites, a restaurant and bar, as well as conference and meeting rooms.
Regular trains run directly from Kingston station to London Waterloo, with a journey time of approximately 25 minutes, and the hotel will be located five miles east of the M3 – leading into the M25 – providing easy access in and out of central London.
The area is also popular with tourists visiting attractions including Hampton Court Palace and Kew Gardens, and the largest of the Royal Parks, Richmond Park, which has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve. Kingston is ranked the third best shopping centre in London, behind only Oxford Street and the West End.
Councillor Kevin Davis, Leader of Kingston Council, said: 'Kingston town centre is a thriving place, rich in culture and heritage. 20 million people visit Kingston every year and large businesses are being attracted to our borough due to our thriving local economy, vibrant university community and strategic transport links. Just a few weeks ago, the supermarket giant Lidl announced they were moving 500 staff to a new 220,000 sq.ft office building in the borough. There are some excellent hotels in the borough, but Kingston town centre itself has been crying out for a high quality place where leisure and business visitors can stay. So I am delighted that EQ Group, working with DoubleTree by Hilton, have chosen to take on and fit-out an existing purpose-built building located in a prime position in the town centre. As well as offering much-needed high quality accommodation, the new hotel will also fulfil a growing demand for professional meeting facilities and business accommodation."
John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton said, "We're pleased to introduce DoubleTree by Hilton to yet another great London location. Guests at this hotel will be welcomed with the signature chocolate chip cookie and will experience the DoubleTree by Hilton CARE culture, which strives to Create A Rewarding Experience for both guests and Team Members."
Media can access additional information about DoubleTree by Hilton at news.doubletree.com.
