Hotelier looks to increase NZ sites

By ANNE GIBSON

Five-star hotel operator Hilton International wants to add hotels in Rotorua, Wellington and Christchurch to its soon-to-open Auckland hotel.

And it wants to use Auckland as a base to promote its expanding South Pacific operations.

Hilton's director of sales and marketing for New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific, Robin Watters, said yesterday that the company was also considering setting up fitness centres in New Zealand, similar to its European LivingWell centres.

Mr Watters said the $50 million Hilton Auckland on Princes Wharf, which is due to open in April, was a boutique-style hotel compared to its much larger counterparts in Australia.

The Hilton in Pitt St in downtown Sydney had 585 rooms, and the Hilton in East Melbourne, opposite the McG, had 470 rooms.

The Auckland Hilton will have only 167 rooms and much smaller conference and exhibition areas than the two Australian hotels.

"It's a departure from the classic Hilton most people associate the name with," said Mr Watters.

He said Hilton's New Zealand operations would be used to promote the South Pacific and new Hilton hotels in Rarotonga, Fiji, Bora Bora and Papeete.

The Hilton in Auckland is expected to generate $18 million gross annually and to employ 140 staff.