Hilton Hotels Corp, the second largest US hotel company, said it plans to open 25 hotels with a total of 3,000 rooms in the UK in the next five years.

Hilton Hotels Corp, the second largest US hotel company, said it plans to open 25 hotels with a total of 3,000 rooms in the UK in the next five years.

The company signed a letter of understanding with closely held Somerston Hotels UK Ltd, which will franchise the Hampton by Hilton brand of economy hotels, Hilton said on Tuesday in a statement distributed by Business Wire.

Tuesday’s agreement is Hilton’s second announcement with a UK property owner in the last month following an agreement to develop 15 hotels with Shiva Hotels Ltd. Hilton is expanding overseas after its acquisition of UK-based Hilton Hotels plc last year gave it access to international markets.

Somerston Hotels UK Ltd currently owns and operates 34 UK hotels with more than 4,000 rooms.

Also on Tuesday, Hilton announced a partnership with LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton to create or upgrade 135 spas offering luxury treatment in its upscale hotels.

Source: The Business Times, 14 June 2007