Park Inn, part of the Rezidor SAS Group, and the fastest growing mid-market hotel brand in Europe, has launched its first UK hotel at Heathrow,…
Park Inn, part of the Rezidor SAS Group, and the fastest growing mid-market hotel brand in Europe, has launched its first UK hotel at Heathrow, by converting the existing Le Meridien Heathrow. The hotel, which has recently been subject to a US$26 million investment programme, will have another US$17.4 million in investment over the next two years to ensure that conversion to the Park Inn brand is complete.
Park Inn Heathrow features 880 rooms and nine suites. Latest developments include renovation of 415 rooms that typify the Park Inn concept and offer guests the essential in-transit business facilities. The hotel’s well-equipped conference centre can host up to 220 delegates and is a key focus for the hotel’s operation.
Kurt Ritter, President and CEO of Rezidor SAS Hospitality, commented: “The UK is one of our primary markets and therefore the introduction of Park Inn is a logical step forward. I am thrilled to be launching the Park Inn brand at a global gateway such as Heathrow.”
Park Inn Heathrow joins other brand flagship hotels in Berlin and Nice and destination airport hotels in Copenhagen, Zurich and Stockholm. There are currently 70 Park Inn hotels throughout the world.
Park Inn hotels are highly efficient and innovative – global in outlook, national in scale and local in operation. The brand prides itself on ‘mastering the essentials’ to deliver a great, affordable hotel experience, that’s best in its class. Efficient, uncomplicated service results in hassle-free visits. Rooms are functional, comfortable, practical and most importantly clean and well maintained. Park Inn aims to provide ‘the best sleep in town’ and places the bed at the top of its list of product priorities. The brand already performs successfully in a variety of locations from capital cities and regional gateways to high-traffic travel hubs.
Its aim is to challenge the current mid-market hotel segment with this unique offer; a contemporary brand concept, ambitious growth plans and efficient hotel conversions.
Since 2002, when Rezidor SAS Hospitality secured the master franchise agreement for Europe, the Middle East and Africa from US-based Carlson Hotels Worldwide, the company has opened 35 Park Inn hotels and is well on track to have a total of 75 hotels contracted by this year-end.
Rezidor SAS Hospitality at present operates 13 properties in the Middle East, including the recently-launched Dariush Grand on Iran’s Kish Island.
The brand has aggressive growth projections and aims to have 150 hotels in operation and under construction by the end of 2006 and plans to become Europe’s number one mid-market hotel brand.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
