MCLEAN, VA—Hilton Worldwide has signed a franchise agreement with Jurys Inn Hotel Group for three Jurys Inn properties in London, all of which will join the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels.
Under the new agreement, Jurys Inn’s Chelsea and Islington hotels will be rebranded as DoubleTree by Hilton during Spring and Summer 2014, respectively. In addition, the Heathrow property will become Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow in December 2014.
Jurys Inn will invest approximately £20 million in the planned rebranding, incorporating the current capital investment programme in the Chelsea and Islington hotels. The three hotels will continue to be owned and operated by Jurys Inn.
John Brennan, CEO of Jurys Inn Hotel Group, said in a statement, “This initiative will see three of our London hotels leverage their prime locations, a significant investment programme and Hilton’s upscale brands to further optimize future revenues and deliver exceptional service to our guests.”
Brennan added, “The excellence of our leadership team and employees within these hotels, working in conjunction with our new partners in Hilton Worldwide, will ensure a smooth and seamless transition for our guests to DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn.”
The hotel improvement programme will bring a number of new facilities, including the addition of 143 guestrooms to the DoubleTree by Hilton – London Islington as part of a substantial extension. Guests at the Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow will see a full renovation including the addition of a Pavilion Pantry, as well as benefitting from other amenities for which Hilton Garden Inn is known, including an on-site fitness center and guest laundry.
“Both DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn have seen dramatic growth in the UK and are earning increased loyalty and preference both amongst UK guests and international visitors,” stated Jim Holthouser, EVP of global brands, Hilton Worldwide. “We are delighted to be taking this next step with a partner such as Jurys Inn.”
Jurys Inn is a mid-market hospitality group with 32 hotels spread across the UK, Ireland and the Czech Republic. The remaining 29 hotels within the Jurys Inn portfolio will continue to trade as Jurys Inn.