In brief
- More than 150 jobs created across Ireland thanks to future establishments.
- First DoubleTree by Hilton location in the Republic of Ireland planned for Ashbourne in early 2027.
Rollout of the Home2 Suites by Hilton brand in Dublin, marking its European debut
The introduction of the Home2 Suites by Hilton concept in the heart of Dublin city centre represents a major strategic milestone for the American group. This brand, specialising in medium and long-term stays, is establishing itself for the very first time on the European continent, choosing the Irish capital as its showcase. This geographical choice reflects the sustained attractiveness of the Dublin metropolis to an international clientele looking for flexible, spacious accommodation adapted to new ways of working and travelling.
- Rollout of the Home2 Suites by Hilton brand in Dublin, marking its European debut.
- First signing in Cork under the Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand for an opening in 2027.
The hotel group is amplifying its development with the expansion of Hilton in Ireland, marked by new openings and strategic signings. This momentum builds on an existing network of eight properties across six brands to strengthen its presence in urban centres and key regions of the country.
The island of Ireland benefits from a particularly favourable environment for the growth of hotel infrastructure. The robustness of the tourism market, combined with a significant presence of multinational headquarters, fuels a continuous flow of visitors throughout the year. Hilton is capitalising on this privileged geographical and economic position by multiplying its anchor points. Thanks to a controlled diversification of its brand portfolio, the company intends to cover the entire spectrum of needs, from business travel to tourist getaways and residential stays.
The territorial network is organised around major axes: major business centres like Dublin, regional cultural and economic hubs like Cork, as well as strategic destinations in Northern Ireland. This approach makes it possible to create operational synergies while offering travellers great continuity of service across the entire island. The increased presence of recognised brands also strengthens the global visibility of these regions among international clientele accustomed to the chain’s standards.
The unprecedented arrival of DoubleTree near Dublin
The arrival of the DoubleTree by Hilton brand in the Republic of Ireland reflects the group’s desire to extend its premium hospitality offering to the greater Dublin outskirts. The positioning of this brand, recognised for its level of comfort and attention to customer experience, meets a growing demand for quality accommodation located in the immediate vicinity of major transport hubs and strategic road links.
A renewed offering on the doorstep of Dublin
One of the major axes of this development plan is based on the conversion of a 156-room property located in Ashbourne. Operating under the name DoubleTree by Hilton Ashbourne from early 2027, this hotel will undergo a comprehensive renovation programme targeting the rooms, public areas and dining options. Located 25 minutes from Dublin Airport, the property aims to capture business and leisure clientele from Greater Dublin. Richard Mc Dermott, owner of the establishment, highlighted the potential of this affiliation to boost local employment.
The town of Ashbourne, established in County Meath, occupies a privileged geographical location. Located on the border of the Dublin metropolitan area, it benefits from fast road links to the capital and its international airport. The comprehensive renovation project was designed to modernise the existing infrastructure and bring it up to the standards of the DoubleTree brand. The rooms will undergo a complete redesign to integrate contemporary amenities, ergonomic layouts and meticulous design elements. The common areas will be reorganised to encourage interaction, informal work and relaxation, while the dining hub will adopt a renewed concept highlighting gastronomic offerings adapted to current expectations.
This transformation reflects the trend observed in the hotel industry of enhancing existing assets through partnerships with major global groups. For the Ashbourne property, integration under the Hilton banner provides access to a vast global distribution network, a powerful loyalty programme and structured operational expertise. From a territorial perspective, the upgrading of this establishment strengthens the capacity of the region surrounding Dublin Airport, relieving pressure on urban accommodation in the city centre while offering a high-standard alternative for corporate events and tourist stays.
European first for Home2 Suites in Dublin
This announcement follows the opening of Home2 Suites by Hilton Dublin City Centre, which is the group’s first European property for its residential brand. Located close to O’Connell Street, this 290-suite complex offers apartment-style accommodation designed for short and long-term stays. Paul Blackmore, vice president of development for the UK and Ireland, confirmed the strength of tourist demand in the Irish market.
The establishment of Home2 Suites in the immediate vicinity of O’Connell Street is in the heart of a highly dynamic historic and commercial area of the Irish capital. The accommodation offering in the form of furnished suites with integrated kitchenettes meets the flexibility needs expressed by professionals on extended assignments, relocating expatriates or families on tourist trips. The design of the private spaces aims to combine the autonomy of private accommodation with the associated services of a structured hotel complex.
The Dublin market is characterised by sustained economic activity, stimulated by the establishment of numerous technology, financial and pharmaceutical companies. This strong presence of international players generates a constant demand for stays of several weeks or several months. By introducing the Home2 Suites concept to this strategic segment, the group is adapting its global offering to the transformations of nomadic working methods and professional mobility while strengthening its presence in the centre of Dublin.
A lifestyle establishment in the heart of Cork
In the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland, the arrival of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand marks a new step in the group’s development within provincial urban centres with strong character. Cork, recognised for its cultural, commercial and gastronomic vitality, is a privileged anchor point for hotel concepts that highlight local personality and independent design while benefiting from the operational power of a major global brand.
Strategic signings in Cork and Dublin
In parallel, the group has entered into a partnership with JMK Group to sign the Cork City Centre, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Scheduled to open its doors in 2027 on South Terrace, this 103-room hotel will be Hilton’s first project in the city of Cork. The site will offer a combination of classic rooms and spaces dedicated to extended stays, complemented by a restaurant, a bar and a gym.
The South Terrace district in Cork is located in a strategic area, close to the River Lee quays and the iconic shopping streets of the city centre. The creation of this 103-room property enriches the local hotel offering with a mixed concept. The combination of standard rooms and facilities designed for long stays makes it possible to welcome a diverse public, including both business or leisure visitors and professionals temporarily residing in the region for long-term projects.
The integration of lively common spaces, such as a restaurant, a bar and a fitness room, aims to make the establishment an attractive living space for both hotel guests and the local population. This partnership with JMK Group materialises the ambition to extend the hotel group’s geographical presence beyond Greater Dublin to reach rapidly expanding major regional hubs. Indeed, Cork plays a driving role in the Irish economy, with its innovation hubs, universities and flourishing industry.
Strategic expansion in Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland market represents a complementary and dynamic component in the company’s expansion strategy on the island. Through openings in the major urban centres of Belfast and Derry-Londonderry, as well as in key tourist destinations on the north coast, the hotel chain is weaving a balanced network. This network relies on the diversity of its brands to meet the expectations of distinct clienteles, ranging from premium coastal tourism to urban business travel.
Strong momentum in Northern Ireland
The network is also developing in Northern Ireland, where The Marcus Portrush, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, celebrated its first anniversary. The group has also secured the signings of DoubleTree by Hilton Belfast City Ten Square and DoubleTree by Hilton Derry-Londonderry. Soon, the Tempo by Hilton Belfast City Centre concept will make its international debut with a 144-room property focused on well-being, marking the first opening of this brand outside the United States.
The celebration of the first anniversary of The Marcus Portrush under the Tapestry Collection brand testifies to the success of the group’s establishment along the northern coast of Northern Ireland, a region renowned for its coastal landscapes and international golf facilities. At the same time, the branding of the Ten Square Hotel in the heart of Belfast as DoubleTree and the planned opening in Derry-Londonderry consolidate the presence of this flagship brand in Northern Ireland’s two largest cities.
Another strong signal of this expansion lies in the arrival of the Tempo by Hilton concept in Belfast. This 144-room property will be the first international realisation of this brand designed around the well-being aspirations of contemporary clientele. By choosing Belfast for the global launch of Tempo outside the US, the group demonstrates its confidence in the attractiveness and dynamism of the Northern Irish market, which has become a major destination for business tourism, entertainment and city breaks.
Adapting the hotel portfolio to new travel trends
The analysis of the various signings and openings carried out across the Irish territory highlights a global strategy of adaptation to the profound changes in the travel sector. The traditional model of the standardised hotel is gradually fading in favour of a refined segmentation where each brand meets very specific needs. The rise of long-term stays, embodied by the launch of Home2 Suites in Dublin, responds to a growing demand for versatile accommodation combining independence and hotel amenities.
Similarly, the introduction of brands focused on local experience like Tapestry Collection or focused on well-being like Tempo illustrates the attention paid to the lifestyle of today’s travellers. The latter prefer personalised living spaces, integrated into their urban environment and capable of offering services focused on health, physical comfort and cultural authenticity. The diversity of concepts deployed on the island of Ireland thus guarantees comprehensive coverage of modern market requirements.
Strengthening Hilton’s territorial and economic roots in Ireland
Beyond the diversification of the accommodation offering, the development programme undertaken by the hotel group generates direct benefits for local economies. The transformation process of existing properties and the launch of new constructions create sustained activity for players in the building, renovation and design sectors. In the longer term, the commissioning of these infrastructures requires the recruitment and continuous training of qualified personnel in the service, catering and hotel management professions.
The establishment of internationally renowned brands also helps to strengthen the visibility of local authorities among investors and tour operators. By establishing properties in Ashbourne, Cork, Belfast or Portrush, the group helps to distribute tourist and economic flows across the entire Irish and Northern Irish territory. This spatial distribution helps to relieve congestion in highly frequented areas while supporting the local commercial fabric, regional dining and the cultural activities of the host cities.
The growth of the Hilton network in Ireland and its local impact
All of these projects will bring the group’s total workforce in the country to nearly 1,000 employees on the island. This growth reflects the company’s commitment to diversifying its brand offering to meet the evolving expectations of business and leisure travellers.
The creation of more than 150 new direct jobs through these projects is part of this dynamic of social and economic reinforcement. The integration of these new employees will require extensive training programmes to international service standards, thus contributing to skills development in the Irish hospitality sector. With a network eventually composed of a varied portfolio of properties in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, the group ensures a solid and sustainable position at the heart of the island’s hotel landscape.
