Hilton is set to open its first hotel in Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca.
The hotel giant’s new Hilton Garden Inn Casablanca Sidi Maarouf is scheduled to open in 2021 and will have 118 rooms and space for further expansion.
It will include a 550sqm ballroom and a Moroccan-oriental restaurant among three dining options and 300sqm of event space.Construction is set to begin this year and it will be managed by Group Sadiki.
The hotel giant is aiming to “re-establish” its presence in Morocco, and opened its Hilton Garden Inn Tanger City Center in March 2016.
Carlos Khneisser, vice president of development in the Middle East and North Africa for Hilton Worldwide, said: “Casablanca is a market we’ve been looking at for some time and we’re confident that we’ve now identified the right partner and the right location for our debut property. Sidi Maarouf is rapidly establishing itself as not only the gateway to the city centre, with the construction of its new suspension bridge, but as a significant business district in its own right.”
Several multinational businesses have set up in the Sidi Maarouf district of Casablanca, which is 25km from Mohamed V Airport, in recent years.
Abderrahim Sadiki, from Group Sadiki, added: “As more and more businesses seek to locate their operations in Sidi Maarouf we see a demand for an increase in the levels of accommodation. In taking the decision to expand our existing operations at this site to include a hotel, we are pleased to be doing so in partnership with a major international operator such as Hilton, who we believe will help us achieve optimum results.”
John Greenleaf, global head of Hilton Garden Inn, said: “Having successfully launched our brand in Morocco earlier this year we are confident that Hilton Garden Inn Casablanca Sidi Maarouf will serve the needs of travellers seeking a trusted yet affordable international hotel brand. Hilton Garden Inn is known across the world for offering amenities and services for travellers to sleep deep, stay fit, eat well and work smart while away from home.”