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Hilton Garden Inn, the global brand of upscale, yet affordable hotels, today announced the brand’s 500th hotel opening, the 118-room Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte/Concord in North Carolina. Over the past 14 years, the Hilton Garden Inn brand has become one of the fastest-growing brands in the hospitality industry, with hotels either opened or soon to open in 11 countries around the world.
The landmark 500th hotel is owned by Griffin Stafford Lodging One, LLC, a Charlotte-based real estate development firm that specializes in extended-stay and focused-service hotels, and is managed by Griffin Stafford Management. This is the first new-build Hilton Worldwide brand hotel for Griffin Stafford Lodging One, which also has signed a development agreement for a 105-suite Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel in Mooresville, N.C.
“When Hilton Garden Inn was launched in 1996, we set out to create a new standard in mid-priced hotels, and our successful growth to 500 hotels in just 14 years confirms the achievement of that vision,” said Adrian Kurre, Global Head, Hilton Garden Inn. “Since its launch, the brand has truly listened to the needs and wants of both our guests and franchisees, and as a result has consistently been at the leading edge of industry trends — from providing innovative beds and ergonomic Herman Miller Mirra? desk chairs, to small comforts in the room for travelers like refrigerators and microwaves.”
The hotel was built by Charlotte-based Concorde Construction Inc., which worked tirelessly to ensure sustainability efforts were put into place during the construction process. In all, more than 468,000 pounds of construction waste was recycled and diverted from landfills, representing 92 percent of the total construction waste.
The Hilton Garden Inn Pavilion Redefined
At the center of every Hilton Garden Inn is the Pavilion -- a light, bright and airy approach to the hotel’s lobby, featuring a signature glass-walled pavilion that houses registration and other common areas, such as the hotel’s restaurant, the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry mini-market and a complimentary business center.
The Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte/Concord is one of the first within the brand’s portfolio to feature a newly redesigned Pavilion, which has improved overall flow and functionality. Also featured are a variety of contemporary, yet classic, design elements that stay true to the brand’s signature “garden” theme.
“Our guests were looking for space outside of their hotel room that offered both an intimate and casual feel for various uses, such as eating in the restaurant, working in the business center, socializing at the bar, or just relaxing in the lounge. That’s what the redesign of the Pavilion has accomplished,” Kurre noted. “The new space encourages guests to manage their needs in a less compartmentalized manner, while allowing them to be alone, but not lonely.”
Joel Griffin, principal of Griffin Stafford, agrees. “The updated Pavilion design is very conducive to guest interaction, but it’s beneficial from our point of view because it’s extremely cost-effective and incorporates aspects that should help increase our bottom line. It repositions the bar area to a more highly trafficked space and makes it more accessible to guests.”
Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte/Concord Features
“This hotel is a perfect complement to the 120-room Hilton Garden Inn we manage in The Town of Ayersley development in Charlotte,” said Griffin. “Both business and leisure travelers love the amenities they get with Hilton Garden Inn, particularly the comfortable and friendly social-gathering aspects of the Pavilion. We are honored to be the 500th hotel in the Hilton Garden Inn portfolio and look forward to opening more hotels with Hilton Worldwide.”
Located off of I-85 at Exit 49, the six-story Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte/Concord is approximately one mile from Charlotte Motor Speedway and adjacent to Concord Mills Outlet Mall. It is also near the University Research Park, North Carolina Research Campus, International Business Park and numerous NASCAR team facilities. All guest rooms feature complimentary wired and wireless Internet access and secure, remote printing to the business center; refrigerator, microwave oven and coffee maker; self-adjusting Garden Sleep System? bed; large work desk and ergonomic Mirra? chair by Herman Miller; two telephones featuring voicemail, speaker capability and data port; iron and ironing board; and 32” high-definition LCD television.
The hotel also features more than 3,600 square feet of meeting space; on-site catering; state-of-the-art A/V equipment; the Great American Grille, serving breakfast and dinner; 24-hour Pavilion Pantry convenience mart; complimentary 24-hour business center; indoor pool; spa; fitness center with Precor equipment; and a complimentary shuttle to area attractions.
Hilton Garden Inn Growth Over the Next Five Years
Kurre noted Hilton Garden Inn continues to be one of the most popular mid-priced, upscale focused-service brands among hotel developers and business and leisure travelers alike. The brand opened 60 hotels in 2009, representing the second highest total in the brand’s history. Currently, more than 100 hotels are in the pipeline in the U.S., in Canada, Chile, India, Turkey, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Poland and Romania.
“With the economy beginning to show encouraging signs of recovery, we’re definitely seeing hotel development interest accelerate,” he said. “We expect to see accelerated growth around the globe, both in countries where we already have a presence and in new emerging markets. The combination of our affordable cost-per-key and the strength of the Hilton Worldwide name among lenders positions Hilton Garden Inn to take advantage of the rebound in development as it occurs.”
About Griffin Stafford
Griffin Stafford Development, LLC is a real estate development firm that specializes in extended stay and focused service hotels. The company targets growing Southeastern markets that have the potential to offer investors attractive returns over several years. All Griffin Stafford hotels are managed by Griffin Stafford Management. This ensures that each property is marketed and operated to achieve the highest possible return for our investors.
About Hilton Garden Inn
Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning, upscale, yet affordable hotel brand that continually strives to ensure today’s busy travelers have everything they need to be most productive on the road — from complimentary wired and Wi-Fi Internet access in all guestrooms and PrintSpotsTM remote printing to the hotel’s complimentary 24-hour business center to one of the most comfortable beds you will ever experience with the Garden Sleep System?. So whether on the road for personal or business reasons, Hilton Garden Inn offers the amenities and services for travelers to sleep deep, stay fit, eat well and work smart while away from home. For more information about Hilton Garden Inn locations throughout North America and Europe or to find your next getaway, please visit www.HGI.com or call 1-877-STAY-HGI.
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 more than 90 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 3,500 hotels in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, 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, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.
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