BY JAMES WILKINSON

The first stage of the brand new AUD$700 million Hilton Surfers Paradise has opened on the Gold Coast in time for the region’s peak summer holiday period.

Stage one now open: Hilton Surfers Paradise

The property’s Boulevard Tower, which features 134 residential apartments, marks Hilton’s first foray into the region and becomes the ninth Hilton-branded property in Australia.

“We expect Hilton Surfers Paradise to prove extremely popular with holiday-makers to the Gold Coast seeking state-of-the-art, flexible accommodation options, coupled with the refreshing hospitality that the Hilton brand is renowned for across the globe,” said Hilton Hotels and Resorts global head, Dave Horton.

“With the introduction of Hilton Surfers Paradise, we aim to marry our brand’s global standards with the local characteristics of Surfers Paradise and present the Gold Coast with a truly unique hospitality offering,” he said.

The Boulevard Tower also include an indoor lap pool and spa, sauna, gymnasium and barbecue pavilion and will be followed by the opening of the property’s second skyscraper, the Orchard Tower in late 2011.

When it opens, the Orchard Tower will feature a 169- room Hilton hotel and additional residential apartments. At this time, Boulevard Tower will become residential apartments managed by Hilton.

“Hilton Surfers Paradise will be the ninth Hilton-branded property in Australia and we regard the Gold Coast as the perfect new destination for our core Hilton brand,” said Hilton Worldwide Area President – Asia Pacific, Martin Rinck.

“This first stage of Hilton Surfers Paradise will offer guests more space than a traditional hotel room, such as families, with the option of one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments with access to all the services and facilities offered by an upscale hotel,” he said.

The opening of Hilton Surfers Paradise comes three days after an up-and-down week for Hilton in Australia, which saw the company sign two hotels in Queenstown, New Zealand but lose the Hilton Melbourne Airport hotel, following the property’s sale to Pan Pacific by owners Mulpha.