Hilton Worldwide Expands DoubleTree by Hilton Presence in Malaysia and Signs Management Agreement with Hatten Group for Hotel Development in Melaka, Malaysia

Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with Hatten Group to manage the DoubleTree by Hilton, Melaka in Malaysia’s thriving tourism destination, located in the west coast of the country. The agreement will see the second DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Malaysia and Hilton Worldwide’s entry into Melaka (Malacca). Scheduled to open in 2014, the 265-room DoubleTree by Hilton, Melaka will be situated in downtown Melaka and will boast a waterfront location.

“Hilton Worldwide has been expanding aggressively across Asia Pacific with a wide range of award-winning brands, such as DoubleTree by Hilton, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Garden Inn, The DoubleTree by Hilton, Melaka will complement our strong portfolio of trading assets, and will also compete well with the existing international and local hotel supply,” said Martin Rinck, President, Hilton Worldwide, Asia Pacific.

“We continue to add momentum to our expansion in Malaysia, where we currently operate five hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Kuching, and The DoubleTree by Hilton, Melaka is the third signing we have announced this year. The DoubleTree by Hilton, Melaka demonstrates the brand’s growing appeal in the market, and adds to our full-service collection of hotels and resorts that is growing quickly throughout the country,” said William Costley, vice president, operations, Southeast Asia, Hilton Worldwide.

The DoubleTree by Hilton, Melaka will feature the traditional characteristics of the brand including the warm, worldwide welcome of the legendary chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest at check-in; comfortable, stylish accommodations and full-service amenities; and a unique and caring commitment to the surrounding community. DoubleTree by Hilton operates a total of six DoubleTree by Hilton properties in Asia Pacific located in China and in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said: “The DoubleTree by Hilton, Melaka represents another important new chapter for our brand’s growing collection in Southeast Asia. Along with our brand’s introduction in Malaysia this past August with the DoubleTree by Hilton, Kuala Lumpur, this outstanding hotel project in Melaka reinforces the potential for owners of current and new-build hotel projects throughout the region to become affiliated with Hilton Worldwide through the DoubleTree by Hilton brand.”

“The DoubleTree by Hilton, Melaka is Hatten Group’s first collaboration with Hilton Worldwide. We believe that this agreement combines the expertise of a truly global, award-winning hospitality household name with strong local domain knowledge. The hotel is part of an integrated development that is strategically located in the heart of Melaka and promises to deliver world-class service to both holiday makers and business travelers,” said Colin Tan, managing director, Hatten Group.

The 27-storey, 265-room hotel will form part of a mixed-use development featuring the DoubleTree by Hilton, Melaka, an extensive retail offering and residential apartments. The site is approximately 10 minutes walking distance to the center of downtown Melaka and key tourist areas including the historical sites, shopping centers and dining areas.

On the west coast of Malaysia, Melaka is strategically located less than 90 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur and less than three hours from Singapore. Due to its rich Malaysian, Portuguese and Dutch history, Melaka has a number of well-preserved heritage buildings, ancient landmarks and colonial structures. Among the well-known tourist attractions are the Fort A’ Famosa and St. Paul’s Church (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites), Melaka’s Sultanate Palace, Porta De Santiago and the Proclamation of Independence Memorial.

Hilton Worldwide currently operates five hotels in Malaysia including Hilton Kuala Lumpur, DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Hilton Kuching, Hilton Petaling Jaya and the Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, which is managed by Hilton.

About DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels

With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations in more than 240 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations worldwide, DoubleTree by Hilton hotels and resorts are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to today’s business and leisure travellers. From the millions of delighted hotel guests who are welcomed with the brand’s legendary, warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the advantages of the award-winning Hilton HHonors guest reward program, each guest DoubleTree by Hilton receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them. Social media users can engage with DoubleTree by Hilton at www.twitter.com/doubletree , www.facebook.com/hilton and www.youtube.com/doubletree . For more information on or to make reservations at DoubleTree by Hilton hotels and resorts around the world, please visit www.doubletreebyhilton.com .

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 92 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,700 hotels and 610,000 rooms in 82 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. For more information about the company, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com .

About Hatten Group

Hatten Group Sdn. Bhd. (“Hatten Group”) was incorporated to spearhead a group of companies involved in property development, management and investment. Each of these companies’ shareholders and directors are unified in a vision to develop, maintain, invest and manage the property and other investment sectors. The company aims to achieve its vision of being one of the top 10 largest property development and management groups in Malaysia by the year 2020. Working towards this, Hatten Group has assembled a team of experienced professionals with expertise from various fields as the directors and managers of its group member companies. The ultimate vision is to develop their repertoire of distinctive assets in the hospitality, commercial complex and management sectors of the property industry. For more information, visit: http://www.hattengrp.com .

Contact:

Hilton Worldwide
Karen Lim
Cluster Director, Marketing Communications
Tel: +603 2264 2264
Email: karen.lim@hilton.com
or
Hatten Group
Elaine Ong
Manager, Advertising & Promotions
Tel: + 06 - 282 1828
Fax: + 06 - 283 1827
Mobile: 012 - 327 2772
Email: elaine.ong@hattengrp.com