Hilton Worldwide to open new hotel at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport

The new hotel will replace the current Hilton property and is expected to open in 2015, with construction scheduled to start later in 2012.

Plans for the hotel, a development and investment by Schiphol Real Estate, were drawn up to meet increasing market demand and match the high quality standards of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Facilities at the hotel, which will be managed by Hilton, are set to include a ballroom and 23 meeting rooms, speciality restaurant and bar, executive lounge, spa and fitness centre, light-filled atrium lobby and underground parking offering 138 parking spaces. A new sheltered walkway will also connect hotel guests directly to the international airport terminal.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, “Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol will bring to the airport a completely new hotel experience, set to become a destination in its own right.  Hilton Worldwide is experiencing strong growth in the Netherlands, having recently announced the introduction of three further brands to the country, and we are delighted to be further adding what will be a stunning property to our Dutch portfolio.”

Maarten de Groof, executive vice president & chief commercial officer of Schiphol Group, said, “The new hotel development is an important initiative in line with Schiphol Group’s strategy of being Europe’s preferred airport and business community location. We have designed a high-profile architectural landmark that will be visible to millions of passengers, business people and visitors using Amsterdam Airport Schiphol every year.”

Dave Horton, global head Hilton Hotels & Resorts, said, “Our brand pioneered the airport hotel concept with the opening of Hilton San Francisco Airport in 1959 and we continue to innovate and redefine what an airport hotel can be. Today we are proud to have Hilton airport hotels at all five of Europe’s busiest airports and leading airports around the world. Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is an exciting development that will join the recently opened Hilton Frankfurt Airport and Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 as the latest addition to our collection of airport hotels in Europe.”

The new Hilton hotel will be situated in a prominent location alongside the access roads to the international airport terminal, near the existing Hilton hotel, which will remain in operation until the opening of the new property and then be demolished. The new cube-shaped building, which will feature rounded edges and a diamond-shaped façade with diagonal lines, has been designed with a view becoming of an airport landmark.

A large atrium with a 35-metre high glass ceiling forms the heart of the hotel and meeting area. The light horizontal lines of the balustrades and white elements will reflect daylight deep into the building, providing an air of grandeur, while frames and lining will create a natural, elegant appearance, according to its architects.

The interior design, being overseen by Merkx+Girod of The Netherlands and Hirsch Bedner Associates of the United Kingdom, evokes a touch of contemporary, innovative and fresh Dutch design with strong, original forms and a natural, harmonious colour scheme.

Hilton Worldwide recently welcomed the sixth hotel to its Dutch portfolio, with the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station. It also expects to open two new hotels before 2014, with the introduction of the first Waldorf Astoria and Hilton Garden Inn properties to the Netherlands.