Hilton Worldwide has finally announced the launch of a new easily accessible hotel brand named Canopy by Hilton. This will be the 12th brand of the internationally famous hotelier. Upper-upscale Canopy hotels will be open in key cities around the world. Hilton is interested in both new and conversion project, and the first hotel by the new brand is expected to open in 2015. It is reported the Hilton already has 15 letters of intent and plans to open as many as 100 Canopy hotels around the world in five years.
The reported cost of development is US$100,000 per key. The hotelier plans to manage close to half of new hotels, while the rest will be franchised. The company has already named its main developers, such as Anish Hotel Group, The Buccini/Pollin Group, North Point Hospitality Group, KeyStone Corp., J Street Hospitality, Baywood Hotels, and Levine Properties.
Hilton describes Canopy hotels as modern places where guests will find simple guest-directed service, comfortable guestrooms and healthy food choices. A typical Canopy hotel will have from 150 to 250 guestrooms. Guests will be treated with complimentary breakfast made from local ingredients, a gift bag on check-in, and free basic Wi-Fi. Mobile check-in is also available, and smartphones can be used as keys to guestrooms.
Hilton emphasizes that even though Canopy is a chain, there will be no two Canopy hotels that look the same.