Hilton hosted over 80 hotel developers and owners from Australia and New Zealand as it introduced a new regional room prototype for its upscale focused service brand, Hilton Garden Inn.
Held in Sydney at Royal Randwick Racecourse, the Hilton Garden Inn Roadshow showcased the brand’s roadmap for expansion in Australia, leveraging franchised and managed hotel agreement options, and emphasising returns for owners.
HILTON GARDEN INN: GAME FOR GROWTH
The continued resurgence of travel, coupled with the value-driven preferences of the growing middle-class segment, have primed the Hilton Garden Inn brand going forward.
Speaking at the event, Guy Phillips, senior vice president, Development, APAC ex Greater China, Hilton highlighted the appeal of Hilton Garden Inn across various market types, as it often leads the way as the first of Hilton’s brands to enter many secondary and tertiary markets.
“Hilton Garden Inn hits a sweet spot for owners and travellers alike. This was very evident from the interest and enthusiasm that we received at today’s event in Sydney,” said Phillips.
“Owners have shared with us that they are drawn to Hilton Garden Inn for its efficient kit-of-parts prototype, tailored offerings, and greater flexibility with franchised and managed hotel agreement options. They also value the brand’s ability to leverage Hilton’s powerful commercial engine and its regionalisation approach for the Australasia market, all of which help ensure long-term success.”
ELEVATING GUEST EXPERIENCES
Hilton Garden Inn’s new regional room prototype features innovations in design and amenities tailored to elevate the guest experience and deliver strong investment returns. The brand’s core elements have been honed based on deeply researched customer and competitive insights. Its region-specific programming also seamlessly integrates Hilton Garden Inn’s global standards with local preferences that are specific to each market.
“Based on our research, travellers in Australia expect an upscale brand to genuinely value its customers, portray optimism and provide a sense of comfort, which in turn allows them to de-stress and energize themselves,” said Jenny Milos, vice president, Brand Management, Suites & Focused Service, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “Australian travellers also have a greater awareness and interest in sustainability and prefer properties that demonstrate sustainable practices. These insights have deeply informed our prototype, which has been very warmly received by owners, developers, and consultants alike.”
To date, Hilton Garden Inn has two properties operating in Australia in Hilton Garden Inn Albany and Hilton Garden Inn Darwin, with another five in the pipeline in Busselton, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
