"We are looking to grow in China's primary and secondary citiesand respond to the demand among corporate and leisure travelers forquality accommodations," says Koos Klein, president of HiltonHotels Asia Pacific. Hilton already operates six hotels in thesprawling country and has four more in various stages ofdevelopment that will open between 2009 and 2010.

The larger of the properties just going under contract is theDoubletree by Hilton Beijing, which will offer 455 hotels rooms, 98upscale residences and a range of food and beverage offerings,including 24-hour dining. There will also be a health club,ballroom and roof garden, plus audio-visual and communicationsfacilities. The property is located in the southwest quarter of thecity on Guanganmenwai Street, about five miles from TiananmenSquare and the Forbidden City.

"Given the scale of the Beijing market and its increasingin-bound tourism in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics, we see greatpotential to introduce several more of our Hilton family brands,from luxury through to mid-market and economy," says Klein. Thecompany currently operates one hotel in Beijing under the Hiltonmoniker.