Pune:  Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Panchshil Hotels Pvt. Ltd. for an upscale, full-service DoubleTree by Hilton hotel.  DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad, scheduled to open in June 2013, will mark the rapidly expanding global hospitality company’s first hotel in Pune, the second largest urban centre in the state of Maharashtra and the eighth largest in India.  This will be the fast-growing DoubleTree by Hilton brand’s fourth hotel in the country.

“The launch of DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad will be another significant step in our growth strategy in India as it will represent our entry into Pune,” said Martin Rinck, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.  “Following on from two great years of growth, when we grew our portfolio to 12 hotels and resorts, we are expanding rapidly in the country and anticipate increasing our presence to 17 hotels by the end of this year.”

“We are delighted to associate with Hilton Worldwide, the leading global hospitality company, and the DoubleTree by Hilton brand in India.  We are happy to be able to bring to Pune the DoubleTree by Hilton brand’s promise of warm hospitality and outstanding customer service.  DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad will offer world-class amenities and services and we are confident, on its opening, it will be the first choice of travellers in the region,” said Ajay Chordia, chairman and managing director, Panchshil Hotels Pvt. Ltd.

DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad is centrally located in Chinchwad which, along with its neighbouring suburb of Pimpri, forms one of India’s largest industrial hubs.  Strategically situated northwest of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad houses more than 50 large and 630 medium-sized companies and 7,000 small manufacturing units including Premier Limited, Mahindra Navistar, Bajaj Auto, TATA Motors, Kinetic Engineering, Force Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Thermax, Forbes-Marshall and ThyssenKrupp.  The conveniently located DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad will allow excellent connectivity to the Mumbai-Pune National and Express highways and the Pune city centre, airport and railway station. The hotel will also be easily accessible to the Pune-Nashik highway, the arterial road connecting the two cities.

DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad will offer 115 spacious guestrooms that feature all modern conveniences including internet access, LCD televisions, electronic safes, refrigerated private bars and tea and coffee making facilities.  Other facilities at the hotel include three dining outlets, an Executive Lounge, 24-hour business and fitness centres, outdoor rooftop pool and 2,800 square feet of meetings and events space.

“The launch of DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad will reiterate our commitment to welcoming travellers in key business and leisure destinations worldwide,” said John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton.  “With the launch of our fourth hotel in India, we will be well on our way to doubling our network in the country this year.  Presently, we have two hotels in Delhi NCR, at Gurgaon and Mayur Vihar, and a resort in Goa.  We will open an all-suite hotel in Bangalore and a resort in Jaipur later this year.”