Hilton has signed agreements to manage the Doubletree by Hilton Beijing and the Doubletree by Hilton Kunshan, both scheduled to open in 2008.

Koos Klein, president of Hilton Hotels Middle East Asia and Pacific, said, "The strength and appeal of Doubletree hotels lies in their versatility. Whether it is a city centre conversion project, large new build development or destination resort, Doubletree by Hilton delivers a unique blend of contemporary design with informal and friendly service within the upscale sector. This is enabling us to take advantage of a number of different development opportunities as we look to grow in China's primary and secondary cities and respond to the growing demand among corporate and leisure travelers for quality accommodations across China."

Hilton signed a long-term agreement with China Overseas Real Estate Development Corporation to manage the Doubletree by Hilton Beijing. The hotel will be located in the southwest quarter of the city on Guanganmenwai Street, 8 km from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

The Beijing hotel will comprise 455 spacious bedrooms, 98 upscale residences and three contemporary food and beverage outlets, including 24-hour dining. Part of the mixed-use Lar Valley International Development, the Doubletree by Hilton Beijing will provide a health club, a pillarless ballroom and a unique roof garden and will offer extensive conference and banqueting and wedding ceremony facilities, featuring state-of-art audio-visual and communications technology.

Wang Yonghe, chairman of the Board of China Overseas Real Estate Development Corporation, said, "We are happy to appoint Hilton to manage our property. We strongly believe that Doubletree by Hilton Beijing will add something new to the city and fairly good financial results to our project as well."

Owned by Kunshan Guangting Property Company, the new Doubletree by Hilton Kunshan will be located in the town of Huaqiao which is strategically located between Shanghai and Suzhou. Designed by Hong Kong based Steve Leung Architects, the hotel will comprise 397 contemporary and spacious bedrooms, three food and beverage outlets, two ballrooms and a wide range of conference and banqueting facilities. It will also have a large health club and a swimming pool.

Doubletree has a fast-growing portfolio of more than 180 full-service hotels and resorts in gateway cities, airport locations, suburban markets and leading leisure destinations throughout North America and South America.