The Hilton Group's development in France is no longer focused solely on its flagship brand. Patrick Fitzgibbon, Hilton's senior vice president of development, said: "Growing our portfolio in France is a strategic priority for Hilton. As part of this, the American hotel operator's growth strategy is now being extended to its mid-range brands and its collection labels, with a focus on Greater Paris and a number of key regional locations.
The group has nine establishments in the pipeline, and three of these projects have just been unveiled, with the others to follow in the coming months. In partnership with property investor Naos, the American hotelier will be launching its Hilton Garden Inn brand in Bordeaux and Hampton by Hilton in Clichy. What the two future establishments have in common is that they will be located in up-and-coming districts. The Hampton by Hilton Paris Clichy will be located near the Porte Pouchet ring road, in an area that is undergoing major regeneration and is likely to attract new businesses to the area. For its part, the Hilton Garden Inn Bordeaux Centre Gare will be located in the city's 'creative' district, close to the MECA (home of the creative economy in Aquitaine). Its other advantage for business travellers is that it is just 200 metres from Bordeaux station, which will soon be linked to Paris in just over two hours.
Guests travelling regularly between the two cities will find another Hilton hotel on arrival at the Montparnasse station. Just 300 metres from the platforms, the Niepce Paris, Curio Collection by Hilton will take up residence in a 19th-century building that is being transformed into a 52-room hotel with a gourmet restaurant, each with a separate entrance.
The appearance of these new brands has not prevented Hilton from thinking about its flagship brand, which will see the opening of a second hotel in Paris in 2019, in addition to the Hilton Paris Opéra, housed in a historic building opposite the Saint Lazare train station. The future hotel, on Avenue de Saxe in the 7th arrondissement, promises to be much more contemporary, as the group has entrusted the interior design to Philippe Starck.
