Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

Hilton Announces Exclusive Agreement with YOTEL to Expand Global Footprint in Lifestyle Segment

News

Hilton Announces Exclusive Agreement with YOTEL to Expand Global Footprint in Lifestyle Segment
News

News

Hilton Announces Exclusive Agreement with YOTEL to Expand Global Footprint in Lifestyle Segment

2026-03-19 19:00 Last Updated At:19:10

MCLEAN, Va. & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 19, 2026--

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced an exclusive agreement with YOTEL that will provide guests yet another way to stay within the hospitality leader’s growing global portfolio. With highly efficient hotels in urban markets, YOTEL has pioneered ways to meet changing guest needs through stays that feature smart room design, and clever tech-enabled features.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260318705963/en/

The franchise agreement with YOTEL expands Hilton’s network, filling a distinct customer need in the growing lifestyle segment in a manner consistent with its proven asset-light model. YOTEL will continue to independently manage and license its brand at 23 hotels across 10 countries, with a goal of more than tripling its portfolio in the coming years.

YOTEL will be the first brand in the newly established Select by Hilton. Select by Hilton is designed to grow into a brand that creates new ways to stay for guests, with the trust, confidence, and perks they expect from Hilton. High-quality, established hotel brands that join Select by Hilton will retain their own identity and brand management while they connect to the award-winning Hilton Honors loyalty program and enjoy the benefits of Hilton's superior distribution and technology platforms.

Launched in London in 2007, YOTEL has extended its innovative brand to hotels in key markets like New York, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Glasgow and Singapore with smart, efficient room designs that feature the YOTEL SmartBed™, which can transform from a flatbed to a sofa with the touch of a button, and tech-forward features like automated luggage storage.

“The addition of YOTEL to Hilton's network is the latest example of our commitment to capital efficient growth through a relationship that is both complementary to our existing brand portfolio and offers guests thoughtfully designed, sleek new ways to stay with Hilton in key urban locations around the world,” said Christian Charnaux, executive vice president and chief development officer, Hilton. “This agreement further strengthens our network effect by connecting a beloved independent brand like YOTEL into the powerful Hilton Honors network and commercial distribution system, while preserving what makes the brand unique.”

The Hilton brand increases visibility and demand for YOTEL without altering the experience that defines YOTEL’s brand, which will continue to operate with the same quality, intelligent design, and service style.

“Hilton brings unmatched global distribution and loyalty scale to our brand and business,” said Phil Andreopoulos, chief executive officer, YOTEL. “YOTEL’s relationship with Hilton allows us to expand our reach while staying true to who we are. What changes for YOTEL is access – not identity – in a capital-light, and scalable way.”

Once integrated into Hilton’s network, Hilton Honors members staying at participating YOTEL properties will enjoy the benefits of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s world-class brands. The nearly 250 million Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits and contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app.

The first hotels are expected to be available for booking through Hilton channels later in 2026.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 27 world-class brands comprising more than 9,100 properties and over 1.3 million rooms, in 143 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 4 billion guests in its more than 100-year history. Named as the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune, Hilton aims to create the best culture for its 500,000 team members around the world. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the nearly 250 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

About YOTEL

YOTEL is a global hotel group with 23 properties in sought-after locations. YOTEL exists so guests sleep better, move faster and enjoy the destination more. From buzzing cities to bustling airports, YOTEL promises the luxury of time, the access of brilliant locations and the fun of discovery. Every stay.

Headquartered in London, the group’s portfolio consists of three brands: YOTEL (city centre hotels), YOTELPAD (extended stay option) and YOTELAIR (airport hotels). YOTEL is in cities across the world, including Amsterdam, Boston, Edinburgh, Geneva, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Miami, New York, Porto, San Francisco, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington DC, and at London Gatwick, Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Istanbul, and Singapore Changi airports. Upcoming openings include Kuala Lumpur (2026), Athens (2027), Belfast (2028), Lisbon (2028) and NEOM (2029).

YOTEL’s major shareholders include the Talal Jassim Al-Bahar Group, United Investment Portugal, and Kuwait Real Estate Company (AQARAT).

YOTEL was originally created by YO! founder Simon Woodroffe OBE who took inspiration from the experience of first-class travel and translated that ethos, language and design into small but beautifully designed rooms. www.yo.co.uk. www.yotel.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to our expectations regarding the performance of our business, future results, and other non-historical statements. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "forecasts," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seeks," "projects," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties including, among others, risks inherent to the hospitality industry; macroeconomic factors beyond our control, such as inflation, changes in interest rates, challenges due to labor shortages or disputes and supply chain disruptions; the loss of key senior management personnel; competition for hotel guests and management and franchise contracts; risks related to doing business with third-party hotel owners; performance of our information technology systems; growth of reservation channels outside of our system; risks of doing business outside of the U.S.; risks associated with geopolitical conflicts; uncertainty resulting from U.S. and global political trends, tariffs and other policies, including potential barriers to travel, trade and immigration and other geopolitical events; and our indebtedness. Additional factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found under the section entitled "Part I—Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, which is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and is accessible on the SEC's website atwww.sec.gov. Such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this press release and in our filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

YOTEL Boston

YOTEL Boston

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders on Thursday lashed out at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, accusing him of hijacking critical aid for Ukraine and undermining EU decision-making in an effort to win an election at home.

In a rare public tirade against a member of their ranks, leaders insisted that Orbán must respect the 27-nation bloc’s decision in December to fund Ukraine’s armed forces and war-ravaged economy for the next two years. Orbán himself had previously approved what is seen as a critical lifeline for war-ravaged Ukraine.

“He’s using Ukraine as a weapon in his election campaigning, and it’s not good. We had a deal, and I think that he betrayed us,” Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters as the leaders gathered for a summit in Brussels.

Ukraine's economy is in tatters. EU officials believe it must get at least a sizeable part of the 90-billion-euro ($103-billion) loan by the start of May. For that to happen, work must move forward on the EU agreement within two to three weeks.

Orbán – who is seen as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in Europe and is a strident nationalist admired by U.S. President Donald Trump – is trailing in opinion polls ahead of elections on April 12. Part of his election campaign has been to portray Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as an existential threat to Hungary.

He has alleged that the Ukrainian leader, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, wants to drag Hungary into Russia’s war, now in its fifth year. He has claimed that his reelection is the only guarantee of peace and security.

Fellow EU leaders are now taking Orbán to task, pulling the rug from under his claims that EU institutions in Brussels are against him.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted that all 27 EU member countries must respect the decision they made together in December. “The guiding principle of the European Union is one of loyalty and reliability,” he said.

On the eve of the summit Merz had accused Orban of “setting up this blockade in Europe now for domestic political reasons and because of an election campaign that is being conducted there.”

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said "it’s unacceptable to decide with the leaders and then after say ‘but I’m not ready to execute what I decided.’”

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said that if Orban is using the election as a pretext, then “this is not a valid argument given the situation in Ukraine, the plight of the people in Ukraine, and what we ourselves have decided.”

The standoff has highlighted important weaknesses in EU decision-making procedures, which often require unanimous agreement among the 27 member countries. Hungary has a population of almost 10 million, a fraction of the bloc’s 450 million people.

Ukraine and Hungary have been locked in an escalating feud since deliveries of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia were halted in January due to damage to the Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian officials blame the damage on Russian drone attacks, but Orbán accuses Zelenskyy of deliberately holding up oil supplies. Hungary has not only vetoed the loan package, it’s also blocking a new round of EU sanctions against Russia.

In an effort to break the deadlock, von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa offered this week to pay for repairs to the pipeline. An EU technical team is in Kyiv awaiting security clearance to inspect the site.

But Orbán vowed to continue to block the loan as long as oil shipments to Hungary are halted.

“What we are talking about is not politics, it is existential for Hungary. To get the oil is existential for the Hungarians,” said Orbán, who has been Hungary’s prime minister since 2010 and is seeking his fifth term. “It’s not a joke, it’s not a political game. Zelenskyy should understand it."

Ahead of the meeting, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico withdrew support for a planned summit statement on Ukraine because it did not include the pipeline oil delivery issue, as he requested. “This is being rejected for incomprehensible reasons. I will not vote for the conclusions on Ukraine,” he told Slovak lawmakers.

The EU mostly weaned itself off Russian oil and natural gas after 2022 as Putin used the bloc’s dependence on it as leverage to undermine European support for Ukraine. However, Hungary and Slovakia were given exemptions to keep using Russian oil.

Their leaders say they are landlocked and have no easy access to other suppliers, although they are currently receiving oil via an alternative route through Croatia. However, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković noted that Hungary and Slovakia pay about 30% less for Russian oil.

Zelenskyy, who addressed the leaders via video link, is vehemently opposed to allowing Russian energy to transit through Ukraine. Energy revenue has fueled Putin's war, and Russian forces have relentlessly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure throughout the conflict.

Geir Moulson and Pietro De Cristofaro in Berlin, and Karel Janicek in Prague contributed to this report.

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, speaks with Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during a round table meeting at the EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, speaks with Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during a round table meeting at the EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever arrives for the EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever arrives for the EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Austria's Chancellor Christian Stocker speaks with the media as he arrives for the EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Austria's Chancellor Christian Stocker speaks with the media as he arrives for the EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo speaks with the media as he arrives for the EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo speaks with the media as he arrives for the EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks with the media as he arrives for the EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks with the media as he arrives for the EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for the EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrives for the EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Recommended Articles