DoubleTree by Hilton debuts in France with charming Carcassonne property

MCLEAN, Va. – France’s medieval city of Carcassonne today welcomed the country’s first DoubleTree by Hilton, one of Hilton’s (NYSE: HLT) 14 market-leading brands. The property is the first DoubleTree by Hilton in France and joins nine other Hilton properties in the country.

Conveniently located along the banks of the Aude River, DoubleTree by Hilton Carcassonne enjoys panoramic views of the fairy-tale-like town, which is accessible via the “Pont View” pedestrian bridge over the river. Guests will receive a warm welcome the moment they arrive at the hotel with a signature DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie, a symbol of the upscale hotel brand’s dedicated service and thoughtful approach to hospitality. 

Resembling a scene taken out of a children’s storybook, the fortified city of Carcassonne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous worldwide for its stout walls, Gothic cathedrals, medieval castles, and beautiful vineyards. The annual summer Festival de Carcassonne attracts visitors from all over the world who come to watch spectacular dance and theatre performances as well as a magnificent fireworks display drawn from the ramparts to commemorate Bastille Day. Every year, the Cité Médiévale, as the old walled town is now known, attracts more than 4 million visitors who come to experience its historic charm.¹ 

Naturally fitting into the city’s picturesque landscape with its medieval inspired design, stained glass windows, and greenery adorned exterior, DoubleTree by Hilton Carcassonne boasts a prime location, just a 100-metre walk to the city and a five-kilometre drive to Carcassonne Airport. It also only a 50-metre walk to the convention centre and just a 3-kilometre drive to the train station.

“We are delighted to bring the DoubleTree by Hilton experience to the beautiful city of Carcassonne. Guests will feel right at home in the heart of one of France’s most fascinating medieval towns,” said Sandrine Kaiser, the hotel’s general manager. “From enjoying a cruise along the Canal du Midi to visiting the Languedoc vineyards, a host of experiences await guests just minutes away from the hotel. After exploring the city, guests can take comfort in our spacious rooms, enjoy town-facing views from our garden or terrace, or indulge in a relaxing spa treatment.”

• AMENITIES

The hotel has 88 guestrooms, including 33 deluxe town-facing rooms, as well as 14 junior suites and three one-bedroom suites with private terraces overlooking the fortified city. All guestrooms come with a wall-mounted HDTV, an espresso machine, a work desk, and adjustable air-conditioning.

Guests can take advantage of the property’s leisure facilities, including a spa complete with private treatment cabins, a sauna, and hammam.  They can also enjoy a swim in the indoor pool, stroll through the hotel gardens or re-energize in the complimentary fitness centre.

• DINING

Guests can begin the day with the hotel’s delicious breakfast buffet or enjoy a night of wine and cocktails on the outdoor terrace with views of the illuminated medieval city.

• MEETINGS AND EVENTS

DoubleTree by Hilton Carcassonne offers 60m²  of stylish and naturally lit meeting space The hotel’s beautiful garden area can also be privatised to host a memorable event with breathtaking views of the city. State-of-the-art A/V equipment is available and the room can be divided to suit guests’ needs.

DoubleTree by Hilton Carcassonne is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton's 14 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and access to the Hilton Honors mobile app.

Owned and operated by Group Soleil Vacances, DoubleTree by Hilton Carcassonne is located at 2, Rue des Calquieres, Carcassonne, 11000, France. 

For more information or to make a reservation, travellers may visit DoubleTree by Hilton Carcassonne or call +33-486-911-038.

Media may access additional information on DoubleTree by Hilton Carcassonne here. For more news on DoubleTree by Hilton hotel openings, visit news.doubletree.com.

Things to do in Carcassonne ^{2, 3} 

• Explore the walls of the Carcassonne ‘La Cite’ Citadel

The citadel includes the Chateau Comtal – the central castle of the upper town dating from the twelfth century with an amazing 31 towers. The original Romanesque style is now predominantly gothic after alterations over the years – the best features are the citadel’s enormous rose windows and the elaborate gargoyles.² 

• Visit the Cité Médiéval

Built on a steep spur of rock, Carcassonne’s rampart-ringed fortress dates back more than two millennia. The hill on which the Cité Médiévale stands has been fortified many times over the centuries – by Gauls, Romans, Visigoths, Moors, Franks and Cathars, to name a few.

Note: To actually walk on the ramparts of Cité Médiévale, you have to pay to enter the Château et Remparts, a keep built for the viscounts of Carcassonne during the 12th century.³ 

• Enjoy a picnic at the Point-Vieux

Though it is one of several bridges spanning the Aude River, the Pont-Vieux is by far the oldest and prettiest. It was built during the 14th century to provide a quick link between Carcassonne’s lower and upper towns, and rebuilt in the 19th century. It is one of the few surviving medieval bridges in France, prized for its graceful arches and compact dimensions, and is only open to pedestrians.³

• Take a cruise along the Canal du Midi

The canal port at Carcassonne is one of the busiest, and from here you can hop on a half or whole-day canal trip, or even rent a boat for a week or two. Even a half-day trip is lots of fun – get a picnic together at one of Carcassonne’s epiceries or head down the tunnel of plane trees either to the west towards Bram or the east through Trebes.²

• Visit the Grand Theatre

Concerts, opera and events throughout the year, including many during the Festival de Carcassonne, take place in this extraordinary 5000-capacity amphitheatre with the ramparts as a backdrop.³

About DoubleTree by Hilton

DoubleTree by Hilton is a fast-growing, global portfolio of more than 525 upscale hotels with nearly 125,000 rooms across six continents. DoubleTree by Hilton prides itself on paying attention to the little details that have a big impact, from welcoming guests with its signature, warm DoubleTree Cookie to serving the communities around them. DoubleTree by Hilton hotels offer contemporary accommodations and full-service facilities, including restaurants and lounges, room service, health clubs, business centers, and meeting and banquet spaces. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. To make reservations, travelers may visit doubletree.com. Connect with DoubleTree by Hilton on Facebook,  
Twitter,  and Instagram. Learn about the latest brand news at news.doubletree.com. 

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, with a portfolio of 14 world-class brands comprising more than 5,300 properties with more than 863,000 rooms, in 106 countries and territories. Hilton is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company by delivering exceptional experiences – every hotel, every guest, every time. The company's portfolio includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose exactly how many Points to combine with money, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else, and free standard Wi-Fi. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

© Press Release 2018