Dons players Sam Baldock, Jemal Johnson and Aaron Wilbraham were at stadiummk on Friday to model the new strips by Nike, with the first choice white strip now available to pre-order from the MK Dons Club Shop.
The new Doubletree by Hilton Milton Keynes will be a unique property built within the Dons’ 22,000-seater home. The hotel will have 127 guest rooms, some of which are pitch facing, and the hotel is expected to open as a Doubletree before the end of 2009. A restaurant, bar, gym, along with extensive conference & banqueting facilities - including the largest ballroom in the region – will be among the other highlights for the hotel.
Dons Chairman Pete Winkelman said: “The imminent completion of the hotel at stadiummk marks another important milestone in this unique development and we are very excited about the benefits associated with this top international brand.
“Doubletree by Hilton epitomises the high-quality and customer-focused approach that Milton Keynes demands.”
This news follows another recent signing for a franchise agreement which will see the existing Cadbury House Hotel and Country Club near Bristol converted to the 72-guest room Doubletree by Hilton Bristol South. This agreement will be the second with the same ownership group who are already working with Hilton at the Doubletree by Hilton in Chester which rebranded and opened in March 2009.
Welcoming the announcements, Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP of Development for Hilton Hotels – Europe and Africa, said: “Doubletree by Hilton has now gained great momentum across the UK and Europe. These two signings will bring the number of Doubletree properties in the UK to seven, and we hope to have 10 open before the end of the year. If you broaden this to include Continental Europe, our first ever Doubletree was signed in Milan, and now two years on we are today signing our 14th Doubletree by Hilton hotel in the region.
“Because of this success, we continue to attract considerable interest from hotel owners and management companies across the world, particularly in the current economic climate, as they discover Doubletree and see the benefits of joining one of the most dynamic brands in the upscale, full-service hotel market today.
“Moreover, this new hotel will complement our existing Hilton property in the city and add to what is already a thriving business hub with excellent leisure facilities and transport links – all in all offering an excellent location for a Doubletree by Hilton hotel.”
Rob Palleschi, SVP of the Doubletree by Hilton brand said: "The strength and appeal of the Doubletree by Hilton product lies in its versatility. Whether it is a city centre conversion project, large new build development or destination resort. This is enabling us to take advantage of a number of different development opportunities as we look to grow in primary and secondary cities across the world and respond to the changing needs of our corporate and leisure travellers for quality accommodation.
“Doubletree by Hilton embraces a strong philosophy of providing millions of travellers with a fine collection of full-service hotels across the globe that combine contemporary style and comfort with an attention to detail that ensures guests are appreciated and well taken care of. By introducing the Doubletree experience worldwide with the recognition and legacy of the Hilton name, we are honoured to work with the owners to deliver these unique Doubletree by Hilton hotels in the UK," added Palleschi.
Doubletree by Hilton characteristic qualities include the warm worldwide welcome of the brand’s legendary chocolate chip cookie to every guest at check-in, the rewards of the prestigious Hilton HHonors® loyalty programme and a unique and caring commitment to the communities in which they operate.
For information on vacancies at Doubletree by Hilton Milton Keynes go to http://www.hotelmk.co.uk/jobs
