Hampton by Hilton Bristol to be Hilton Worldwide's first UK modular hotel
Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport will be developed by modular building provider CIMC who will assemble portions of the 201-bedroom hotel in China before shipping them across to the UK for installation at the site.
While the practice, which is designed to speed up construction and bring an earlier return on investment, has already been adopted by hotel companies such as Snoozebox and Premier Inn in the UK, it is the first time Hilton has used it and marks the start of a 'strategic partnership' between the two firms.
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide said the technique had advantages for the brand and was likely to be adopted for other hotel developments in the UK in the future with Hilton Garden Inn another hotel brand that could use the construction technique in the future.
Construction challenges
“CIMC’s capacity to deliver modular sections of the building to the final hotel site offers an incredible opportunity to overcome many of the challenges faced during construction," he said.
“Alongside potential time and cost efficiencies, CIMC’s ability to provide senior debt to developers using its modular building technique underpins its robust growth model, and we are seeing more and more opportunity for this structure in mature markets such as the UK, and developing economies, most notably in Africa.”
Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport, which will include meeting spaces, a 24-hour fitness room and parking for 120 cars, will be the first hotel at the airport when it opens in spring 2016.
It will be financed and owned by CIMC and managed by Hilton Worldwide.
Paul Blackmore, managing director CIMC MBS, said the company was 'actively pursuing' development opportunities with Hilton Worldwide in a number of different countries.
“CIMC are very happy to be working alongside Hilton Worldwide and Bristol Airport to develop a quality hotel with the strength of the Hilton network and the continuing growth of Bristol Airport," he said. "This is a key milestone in the ongoing relationship with Hilton Worldwide and the first of a number of Hilton hotels CIMC hope to build in 2015.”