Hilton Hotels is taking its Tempo brand outside its home USA market for the first time, opening a Tempo by Hilton in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The first outing in Europe for the brand will be above the door of a newly converted office building in Belfast city centre. The development will create a 144 room hotel, close to the city’s Cathedral Quarter. It will be one of three properties Hilton will open during 2025, in Northern Ireland.
Growth for a new brand
Hilton launched the Tempo brand in 2020, calling it an approachable lifestyle brand. The group’s eighteenth brand, it was announced as being aimed at the “modern achiever”, someone who wants somewhere cool to stay, yet not too showy. At the time, Phil Cordell, SVP and global head of new brand development, explained: “Tempo by Hilton introduces a new concept by combining all the benefits and efficiencies owners expect from a limited service model with an uplifting dose of inspiration.”
The design of Tempo sets out on a new path, he added: “We identified lifestyle offerings inside the guest rooms and throughout the property that push the entire sector to new heights. The end result is a compelling, yet approachable brand that enables owners to expand their portfolios in sought-after locations across the country as well as capture a new demographic of travellers.”
The first Tempo opened in summer 2023, when a 661 room hotel in New York was launched. That was followed by openings in Nashville and Louisville. The brand now has more than 50 properties signed into its pipeline, and later this year will open Tempo hotels in San Diego, and Pigeon Forge in Tennessee. Another European destination has been signed, Tempo Reykjavik.
The Belfast hotel is being developed by the Loughview Leisure Group, a local business that already has a relationship with Hilton, owning the DoubleTree by Hilton Belfast Templepatrick. It also owns the Ten Square Hotel, a 133 room four star hotel in Belfast, which is about to join the DoubleTree brand. Loughview’s group finance director, Chris Kearney commented: “We are delighted to partner with Hilton, increasing Northern Ireland’s global appeal and pioneering new brands like Tempo by Hilton to attract new guests looking to experience everything Belfast has to offer.”
Expanding in Northern Ireland
Currently, Hilton’s Northern Irish presence comprises the DoubleTree Belfast Templepatrick, Hilton Belfast, and Hampton Belfast City Centre. Later this year, the group will open the Marcus Hotel in Portrush, which will be joining the group’s Tapestry Collection, a DoubleTree in Londonderry, and the additional rebranded Ten Square Hotel.
Hilton appears to like the island of Ireland, particularly choosing it as a launchpad for its brands on their international journeys. The group will soon launch its first Home2 Suites in western Europe, with an opening in Dublin. A city centre office building is being converted to provide 290 long stay apartments.
