DoubleTree by Hilton stands out in the airport meetings hotel world when it comes to expansion and rebranding
The 350-plus DoubleTrees worldwide include more than 30 at airports, eight of which debuted last year (two of them overseas). Two were added this year; another is about to reflag; more are planned. Some formerly carried the name “Hilton,” the flagship brand.
“DoubleTree by Hilton delivers a full service, upscale product. As business travel is a key area of growth for our brand, this includes growing our airport hotel offerings to better meet our guests’ needs,” says John Greenleaf, global head of DoubleTree by Hilton.
“This year, we’ve launched a new DoubleTree meeting planners group on LinkedIn, a platform that creates a new way for meeting planners to connect quickly with a real person at a hotel. We will continue to expand the platform,” he adds.
The newest Hilton conversion will be the 288-room Hilton Salt Lake City Airport with 13,000 square feet of meeting space, which came under new ownership more than a year ago becomes a DoubleTree in November following renovations.
DoubleTrees close to SC’s Charleston International Airport and NC’s Raleigh-Durham International Airport were added this year. Launched in January was the 149-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Charleston Airport (5,000 square feet of meeting space) after a yearlong upgrading of an exterior-corridor property. In February, came the DoubleTree by Hilton Raleigh-Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park, a former Hilton that underwent a seven-month $8 million renovation that included its 248 rooms and 9,300 square feet of meeting space.
Jacksonville Airport Hotel, the temporary name for a former Clarion, will become a DoubleTree next year following renovations. Near Florida’s Jackson International Airport, its 12 meeting spaces include a 3,400-square-foot ballroom.
Last year airport DoubleTrees debuted at London’s Heathrow and Mexico City. Also unveiled were DoubleTrees that were former Hiltons at Wichita Airport (following extensive renovation, with more than 22,000 square foot of meeting space); and Houston Hobby (with 18,000 square feet of meeting space).
Others welcomed last year were at Orlando Airport (a former Crowne Plaza with 11,000 square feet of meeting space); Tucson Airport (a former Radisson with 12,000 square feet); Des Moines Airport (also a former Radisson with a meeting room); and Newark Airport (a former Sheraton with 18,000 square feet).
