by Tim Wood
Last updated: 6:45 PM ET, Wed February 11, 2015
PHOTO: A view from inside the glass ceiling atrium of the Hilton Munich Airport hotel. (photo by Tim Wood)
MUNICH, GERMANY - The transformation of the former Kempinski hotel was made official Wednesday night, as the Hilton Munich Airport held a VIP reception to celebrate the brand's 35th European airport property.
The 389-room hotel has been open under the Hilton name since Jan. 1 but Wednesday, all parties were celebrating the official rebranding of this 20-year-old property.
"We're excited to have such a widely honored and respected partner to help us move forward with this important building," said Munich Airport CEO Dr. Michael Kerkloh. The airport was recently voted No. 1 in Europe and third best worldwide at the 2014 World Airport Awards. Kerkloh said the continued development of the hotel, the only property with direct access to the airport's terminal building, is a key part to advancing the airport's reputation.
"We look forward to working with such a world-class brand like Hilton to further develop this prime location," he said. "It's a vital property with a new spirit pumping through it."
Hilton Worldwide global head of full-service brands Rob Palleschi was equally excited about what the Munich Airport opening represents. The airport hotel opening is the third Hilton-branded property in Munich, joining the Hilton Munich City and Hilton Munich Park hotels.
"We've been in Germany since 1958 and this just represents the latest chapter in our commitment to this region," said Palleschi, who was joined at the event by Hilton vice president of full-service brand loyalty Nancy Deck. "We look forward to introducing Munich Airport to our full portfolio of properties and will serve you and represent you proudly."
The Munich opening is just the latest chapter in European airport expansion for Hilton. The company opened new hotels at London's Heathrow and Gatwick and in Krakow, Poland. The next big new airport-based opening for the brand will take place later this year at The Netherlands' Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
And it's not just airports where Hilton is expanding in Europe. Hilton Worldwide has 144 properties in the pipeline in Europe (22 of those Hilton hotels), including eight in Germany.
Hilton Munich Airport features a full-height glass atrium which serves as an impressive eye-catcher, in line with the glass-based exterior of the terminal buildings.
The atrium serves as the home for a small café, a bar and grill and a full-service restaurant. The dining and bar area is offset by a collection of 20-foot-tall palm trees imported from Florida and the walls are lined with artwork from local urban artists from the nearby MUCA gallery.
The large-scale conference center facilities have over 20 meeting rooms, including a ballroom which can host 550 people. Downstairs from the lobby boasts an earth-toned decorated, 56-foot-long swimming pool, a juice bar - two features not usually seen in airport hotels - as well as a whirlpool, sauna and a fitness center. That's also where you'll find the brief, mostly-covered walkway to the airport's terminal building.
With the official opening behind them, the hotel will now prepare for a 160-room expansion. The addition begins this summer and is scheduled to be completed in 2017. After the new edition is completed, the existing guest rooms will then be renovated, according to hotel officials.
The hotel-wide Wi-Fi will also go through a major upgrade, scheduled for March.
Palleschi said the negotiations with the airport to turn the hotel into a Hilton was a 24-month process.
"It was a very important win for us to expand our presence in Munich and specifically with this impressive airport property," he said. "This was a hole in our portfolio, not being near the airport. So with Munich online now, we have coverage at the most important airport hubs across Europe."
As for other European holes not currently in the pipeline, Palleschi said finding another property in Rome is a priority.
"We know there's a hole there, and we're working to find the right opportunities," he said. "We won't rush it. We're going to find the right property that works for our brand and for our loyal customers that demand and deserve nothing but the utmost in excellence."
The Hilton management team has been in place since the summer preparing for the official rebranding.
Palleschi is now headed to Paris for Thursday's unveiling of the $50 million Euro renovation of the Hilton Paris Opera.
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