"We are looking to grow in China's primary and secondary cities and respond to the demand among corporate and leisure travelers for quality accommodations," says Koos Klein, president of Hilton Hotels Asia Pacific. Hilton already operates six hotels in the sprawling country and has four more in various stages of development that will open between 2009 and 2010.

The larger of the properties just going under contract is the Doubletree by Hilton Beijing, which will offer 455 hotels rooms, 98 upscale residences and a range of food and beverage offerings, including 24-hour dining. There will also be a health club, ballroom and roof garden, plus audio-visual and communications facilities. The property is located in the southwest quarter of the city on Guanganmenwai Street, about five miles from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

"Given the scale of the Beijing market and its increasing in-bound tourism in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics, we see great potential to introduce several more of our Hilton family brands, from luxury through to mid-market and economy," says Klein. The company currently operates one hotel in Beijing under the Hilton moniker.