Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Hotel Zakrzowek to open a Hilton Garden Inn (HGI) hotel in Krakow, Poland. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2010, the hotel will become the first Hilton Garden Inn in the country and is on track to be the brand’s 500th hotel.

Welcoming today’s announcement, Patrick Fitzgibbon, Senior Vice President Development - Europe & Africa said, “There is significant demand from hotel owners and developers in Poland for a contemporary yet affordable focused service product and our Hilton Garden Inn brand offers the perfect fit. With deals already signed for HGI properties in Warsaw and Rzeszow, this third signing showcases the growth potential for the brand, especially in Poland’s regional centres where there is a real appetite for quality and internationally branded accommodation.”

When it opens, Hilton Garden Inn Krakow will offer 154 well appointed rooms spread over six floors, all featuring the brand’s key signature offerings including the Garden Sleep System™ bed, ergonomic Mirra® chair by Herman Miller, a 24-hour business centre and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access. A stylish lobby and reception area will feature a lounge area and bar, as well as the Hilton Garden Inn 24-hour Pavilion Pantry™, which provides a selection of food and beverage options. A contemporary restaurant will also offer made-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as evening room service.

With over 300m² and four flexible meeting rooms, the Hilton Garden Inn Krakow will be ideal for leisure as well as business guests. Other facilities will include a complimentary fitness centre with Precor® gym equipment and underground parking.

Set on the banks of the Vistula River, Hilton Garden Inn Krakow enjoys a central location, only 15 minutes away from the city’s historic centre. With views of the famous Wawel Castle, the contemporary, new build hotel will be located on Marii Konopnickiej Street.

Adrian Kurre, Global Head of the Hilton Garden Inn Brand said, “We are delighted to sign our third Hilton Garden Inn in Poland. We firmly believe that we have an opportunity to establish this brand as the leading focused service hotel choice for both domestic and international travellers in the country over the next few years.”

Wojciech Popis, Chairman of the company which owns and will manage the Hilton Garden Inn Krakow stated, “I am fully convinced that the opening of the first Hilton Garden Inn in Poland will be a refreshing and welcome choice of accommodations for Polish and international business travellers. We are thrilled to be a part of this historical achievement in Krakow.”

Hilton Worldwide has identified Poland as one of its key European growth markets for the roll out of its portfolio of hotel brands. Hilton Worldwide currently operates one hotel in the country – the upscale Hilton Warsaw Hotel and Convention Centre – and has a further two full service Hilton properties in the pipeline to open in Gdansk and Wroclaw.