A Hilton Hotel for Weymouth
9:39am Thursday 17th July 2008
Comments (33)A LUXURY 140-bed four-star Hilton Hotel has been revealed as the centrepiece of the Weymouth Pavilion redevelopment.
Developer Howard Holdings today revealed that the giant Hilton Hotels group was its preferred operator for the seafront site.
Howard regional director Gary Charman said: "We are delighted with the progress we have made to date in agreeing outline terms with Hilton Hotels.
"This would represent a real coup for Weymouth and is a clear endorsement of the type of high quality occupiers that a scheme like this will be able to attract to the town.
"In addition to providing 120 local jobs and a major boost to the local economy, we see this hotel as the cornerstone of the development and a huge draw for other quality restaurant operators and retailers.
"It will be the first modern, purpose-built hotel to be built in Weymouth for decades and its waterside location means that it will offer spectacular views of the bay if the scheme goes ahead. We look forward to finalising the deal with Hilton in the weeks ahead."
Hilton was founded in 1919, is one of the world's leading hotel operators and has more than 3,000 luxury hotels.
If planning permission is granted, Howard said it was hoped to open the four-star luxury hotel in Weymouth in time for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said it welcomed the Hilton announcement. Special projects spokesman Coun Howard Legg said: "I am delighted at the prospect of welcoming the Hilton to Weymouth.
"This will be the first Hilton Hotel in Dorset and a quality international brand like this will bring with it international tourists which can only benefit the borough's economy."
Management committee chairman Coun Mike Goodman said: "I welcome such a prestigious company as Hilton Hotels to Weymouth.
"The importance of a prestige company like this isn't just the name but the world wide booking service that comes with it which will give us access to the international tourism market."
Howard Holdings is staging an exhibition of plans for the redevelopment of the Pavilion and ferry terminal site at the Mulberry Centre on Commercial Road, Weymouth.
Entry is free of charge and the exhibition is open to the public from until 5.30pm today, from 10am to 6pm tomorrow and from 10am to 6pm on Saturday.
Following the exhibition, Howard expects to submit a formal planning application for the site in August.
If it is successful then construction work is scheduled to start on site in early 2009 with completion due towards the end of 2011.
Your Say YourDorset Echo
mr.d, weymouth says...
10:17am Thu 17 Jul 08
techie, Weymouth says...
11:05am Thu 17 Jul 08
Brett Favre#4, Weymouth says...
11:22am Thu 17 Jul 08
I work for one of Weymouth largest businesses and i'm embarrassed at the lack of decent hotel facilities the town has to offer our many business visitors - let alone tourists. Most are overpriced, badly run and of sub-standard quality - at least with a Hilton you know what you're going to get.
maximus, Weymouth says...
11:24am Thu 17 Jul 08
Brett Favre#4, Weymouth says...
11:30am Thu 17 Jul 08
maximus wrote:And, your point? The Prince Regent is £89 a room and is absolutely awful. The thing doesn't exist yet and you're moaning about the value for money!!!
Hilton special deals this week £94.00/day - room only, in Portsmouth, to get the featured rates, you must book a minimum of 3 days in advance. Checking on the web, only one hotel in this area charges comparable rates but doesn't expect a minimum 3 day stay.
Albo, Wyke Regis says...
11:41am Thu 17 Jul 08
Hiltons need not be expensive these days - at Brett says - even Bracknell's got one. However, they do add to the location's reputation and this will be A GOOD THING.
maximus, Weymouth says...
11:43am Thu 17 Jul 08
maximus, Weymouth says...
11:46am Thu 17 Jul 08
Iona, Dorset says...
11:57am Thu 17 Jul 08
I would remind every body that HH has not yet had planning approval, nor have they made the final commitment to go for it. We are experiencing a house-building down turn and could be on the brink of a recession.
What is the saying about lips slips and cups? - something like not counting chickens...
LEC, Dorchester says...
12:04pm Thu 17 Jul 08
maximus wrote:Because that's all you ever do moanimus.
Brett Favre#4 Why do you make the assumption that I am moaning? I put in the figures for comparison. Remember that assume makes an **** out of U and Me
As someone who spends a fair amount of his time staying in hotels whilst on business, I'd much rather stay at this proposed Hilton than anything else Weymuff has to offer...
genghis, portland says...
12:16pm Thu 17 Jul 08
Iona wrote:Sometimes you got to take a chance. Doing nothing on the Pavilion site certainly will mean we end up with nothing.
It is nice to see that the usual pointed parrot-like squawks from my fellow contributors have been reduced stifled pointless mumbles. I would remind every body that HH has not yet had planning approval, nor have they made the final commitment to go for it. We are experiencing a house-building down turn and could be on the brink of a recession. What is the saying about lips slips and cups? - something like not counting chickens...
Iona, Dorset says...
12:50pm Thu 17 Jul 08
genghis wrote:You are right.
Iona wrote: It is nice to see that the usual pointed parrot-like squawks from my fellow contributors have been reduced stifled pointless mumbles. I would remind every body that HH has not yet had planning approval, nor have they made the final commitment to go for it. We are experiencing a house-building down turn and could be on the brink of a recession. What is the saying about lips slips and cups? - something like not counting chickens...Sometimes you got to take a chance. Doing nothing on the Pavilion site certainly will mean we end up with nothing.
The ball is in HH park. They have done well to gain the (provisional) commitment of Hilton hotels and that will add credibility to their proposals. We do need a 4 star hotel.
W&P BC has approved the principle and given a design brief that should allow HH to make a profit, i.e. to be viable.
All that is needed is Planning Approval and a continuing belief by HH that they can indeed make a profit.
Nobody has a crystal ball but with the market being as it is today, risks for both HH and the Borough are higher than even six months ago.
Tim Weymouth Boy, Weymouth says...
2:23pm Thu 17 Jul 08
maximus wrote:Because you always moan.
Brett Favre#4 Why do you make the assumption that I am moaning? I put in the figures for comparison. Remember that assume makes an **** out of U and Me
Weyman, Preston says...
6:05pm Thu 17 Jul 08
sammy, weymouth says...
6:49pm Thu 17 Jul 08
DingDonG, Wilds of Wiltshire says...
6:53pm Thu 17 Jul 08
dan, Dorchester says...
6:54pm Thu 17 Jul 08
Now improve the access routes into South Dorset and the combination could have that deciding factor that would make Weymouth a GREAT resort.
derek, dorset says...
7:38pm Thu 17 Jul 08
Money Money Money .... get this right and it will pay back many times over .All those olympic hanger on's can hear the expense receipts being written as I type.
If they had a complete date after the events would it still go ahead ?
dan, Dorchester says...
8:05pm Thu 17 Jul 08
Forget the Olympics and take out of the equation the so called Weymouth relief road - WEYMOUTH needs a large hotel of national character to attract regular maritime events to use it's unique coastal natural resources. Comments above refer to 'accomodation' Weymouth needs lots and lots of that too - but to bring into Weymouth 'national' events you will generate both 'hotel' and 'accomodation' (B&B) capacity.
weymouthfox, Weymouth says...
9:51pm Thu 17 Jul 08
Tru Belle, purbeck says...
10:51pm Thu 17 Jul 08
EEEEEEEEEEEk!
It looks just like HMP WEARE side on- the infamous Prison ship from New Orleans to Portland.
Howard Holdings must be laughing their heads off, full well knowing that the trusting gorgeous folk of Weymouth and Portland would kind of -- well sort of feel very comfortable looking at this very large replica of the prison ship. OUCH is the only word I could find useful to describe this huge dark shadow!
castrol r, dorchester says...
10:53pm Thu 17 Jul 08
spangler, says...
10:57pm Thu 17 Jul 08
It looks just like HMP WEAREYou're quite right Tru Belle it does!
Tru Belle, purbeck says...
11:13pm Thu 17 Jul 08
So glad you agree- what are HH and W+P thinking of?
genghis, portland says...
6:39am Fri 18 Jul 08
castrol r wrote:So without the development how would the refurbishment of the Pavilion be paid for? What about the tatty, decaying look of the rest of the Pavilion site? Suppose that counts as retaining part of the character of Weymouth? It goes with the lack of decent shops, general run down appearance of the town centre and the 24 hour drinking culture in full swing. Ah! What character to be proud of.
hilton great but reservations on the location i would like the pavillion refurbed keep the character of the town and the harbour we dont want to go like poole quay totally ruined of character its very pleasing to see weymouth on the up but at the same time retainig its character my only gripe is the lack of and the cost of parking in the town but yes THE HILTON definitly
tiger, preston says...
7:34am Fri 18 Jul 08
It has been quoted that to refurbish the Pavillion would cost £5,000,000, and to do the same to the pleasure pier would cost the same.
Dec. 2007 investment in Northern Rock £2.5m
Oct. 2007 investment in Coventry BS £3m & Shipton BS £3m, and in Dec. 2008 £2 in another building society. That should be enough to cover the cost and remove the hazzard of asbestos from the pleasure pier.
tiger, preston says...
7:36am Fri 18 Jul 08
I want to see this area redeveloped but for leisure and recreation not overdeveloped for residential purposes
Tru Belle, purbeck says...
8:56am Fri 18 Jul 08
It is far too heavy and dull looking--Please do not replicate HMP WEARE .
You need a building that is light and airy looking - more Mediterannean-- with long verandahs ground floor with shops and cafes, for visitors and residents to enjoy the views-- A glass clad reflective residential Modern Tower, lighthouse fashion at the far end-to catch the colours of the clouds and sea and sun. Use whites and creams and Italian style roof slates/tiles/ burnt umber- to create a cheerful modern effect- No heavy miserable materials please- red brick is not the right choice!
The building must look time -less-- what is wrong with Old Colonial? The Custom house on Poole quay is a good example of what I mean. Something relaxing on the eye- with a proper theme to it. The old theatre can be tarted up in the same fashion.
Please please think hard about the Jewel in the Crown that is designated for re developement- the present plans are definitely not easy on the eye.
Please use an aesthetic eye before you make a monumental error!!
The new Hilton could set a very nice precedent by following the ideas I have just suggested.
The Spy, Here says...
9:42am Fri 18 Jul 08
That way the customers can see all of the traffic backing upto Dorchester.
genghis, portland says...
11:51am Fri 18 Jul 08
tiger wrote:So £10,000,000 of reserves wiped out in a blink of an eye. Wonder how that will be recovered?
Genghis It has been quoted that to refurbish the Pavillion would cost £5,000,000, and to do the same to the pleasure pier would cost the same. Dec. 2007 investment in Northern Rock £2.5m Oct. 2007 investment in Coventry BS £3m & Shipton BS £3m, and in Dec. 2008 £2 in another building society. That should be enough to cover the cost and remove the hazzard of asbestos from the pleasure pier.
Tim Weymouth Boy, Weymouth says...
3:16pm Mon 21 Jul 08
sammy wrote:How is it unfair. You need to open your eyes. The accomidation in Weymouth is a joke!
I am so fed up with people saying that we are in need of decent accommodation - suggest you move away from the Esplanade and look at areas like Rodwell which has a few really good guesthouses offering wifi and everything else that the business traveller needs including free parking. If you really have trouble getting accommodation for work colleagues suggest you open your eyes. HH would be an asset to the town but this constant negativity about the current accommodation the town offers is uncalled for
Perry Winkle, Weymouth says...
7:30pm Mon 21 Jul 08
LOOK AT LUXURY: An artist's impression of the Hilton Hotel in the centre of the block in the Pavilion peninsula development
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Albo, Wyke Regis says...
10:07am Thu 17 Jul 08