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 boasts 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, Conrad, 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; we currently operate five hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Kuching and have announced three new signings in Malaysia including this agreement since the start of 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 brand’s legendary chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest at check-in; comfortable, stylish accommodations and full-service amenities; along with a unique and caring commitment to the communities in which they operate.  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, 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, managed by Hilton.