Hilton has signed a franchise agreement with Gefest to build a new 145-room resort on the beachfront in Odesa. The hotel, due to open in spring 2025, will be managed by Cyprus based Millennium Hospitality and located near the famous Arcadia entertainment area.
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, EMEA, Hilton said,
“There is a clear opportunity for growth in Ukraine, with two hotels set to join our portfolio alongside Hilton Kyiv. Growing international interest in Odesa and robust domestic demand make Hilton Odesa an important addition to our European pipeline. We are pleased to be working with Gefest Group to introduce our flagship brand to southern Ukraine.”
Pantelis Boumbouras, founder president of Gefest said,
“We are excited to announce our new development in Odesa, working with Hilton to bring an impressive resort that will appeal to both domestic and international travelers. With our experience in developing hotels and real estate in Odesa and a partnership with a global brand such as Hilton, we look forward to welcoming guests to Hilton Odesa.”
Vasilis Boumbouras, CEO of Gefest Group said,
“Our company is a leader in commercial and residential construction in the region and we strive for innovation and green designs in our buildings. We are aiming to develop one of the best Hilton hotels in the world, both in terms of ambiance and in the quality of materials used. We pay attention to the finest details which will make the guest’s experience unique and memorable.”
In recent years Odesa has led the charge for Ukraine’s growing tourism industry. Domestic travelers from Ukraine, as well as international visitors from Europe, North America and Central Asia choose the port city of Odesa for its 19th-century architecture, energetic culture and stunning Black Sea beaches. As the largest trade centre in the Commonwealth of Independent States, Odesa’s position as a commercial hub means that business travel is also a key driver for growth in the city.
Spread across two buildings, décor for the hotel and its guest rooms will take inspiration from the natural environment, bringing the neutral sandy tones and rugged textures from Odesa’s beautiful coastline to the hotel’s interiors. With two swimming pools — one indoor and one rooftop pool — offering stunning views overlooking the coast, the new-build hotel will also provide direct access to Odesa’s fine sandy beaches. Guests will be able to choose from four restaurants and bars, two of which will be situated on the beachfront. The hotel will also feature an entire floor dedicated as a conference centre with an approximate total area of 800m² including a 300m² ballroom, an executive floor with an executive lounge on the rooftop and 600m² wellness centre with a heated pool, gym, beauty salon and other leisure facilities.
Hilton Odesa will be located a short walk from the popular resort area of Arcadia, home to Arcadia Beach and its entertainment complex with many restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Further north along the coast, visitors will find the Botanical Garden of The Odesa National University, and several pristine beaches along the Black Sea coast, which are easily accessible through the city’s health route, which originates near the city centre and continues for over 15km along the coast, beyond the location of Hilton Odesa. The city centre is less than 15 minutes from the hotel by car at a distance of just 6km, where travelers can see the world-famous Potemkin Stairs and Vorontsov Lighthouse.
Hilton Odesa joins a growing portfolio of hotels in Ukraine, including Hilton Kyiv. Hilton Odesa will be part of the award-winning Hilton Honors guest loyalty program, allowing more than 118 million members who book directly with Hilton to earn Points for hotel stays and experiences, plus instant benefits including contactless check-in with room selection, Digital Key and Connected Room.
The hotel will be located at Vannyi Lane and will also have a seafront building on Primorskyi Lane. It joins more than 140 Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties trading or under development across Europe.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,700 properties and more than 1 million rooms, in 122 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2021 World’s Best Workplaces list, and was named the 2020 Global Industry Leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. In 2020, Hilton CleanStay was introduced, bringing an industry-defining standard of cleanliness to hotels worldwide. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the nearly 123 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy.
About Hilton Hotels & Resorts
For over a century, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has set the benchmark for hospitality around the world, providing new product innovations and services to meet guests' evolving needs. With nearly 600 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties are located in the world’s most sought-after destinations for guests who know that where they stay matters.