Hilton Signs 10 Spark by Hilton Hotels as UK Growth Gathers Pace
The signings will add nearly 700 rooms across the UK, including Spark by Hilton’s first hotel in Wales
Spark by Hilton will expand its UK footprint with the signing of 10 hotels across England and Wales, adding 672 rooms.
The hotels have been signed through a strategic agreement with AG Hotels Group, spanning key markets including Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Doncaster, Hull, Peterborough, Runcorn, Sunderland, Wakefield, and Washington.
The latest signings, including the brand’s entry into Wales and Scotland, reflect growing owner demand for Spark by Hilton's conversion-friendly model as the brand continues its rapid international expansion.
Hilton today announced a significant expansion to its value-focused brand Spark by Hilton with the signing of 10 hotels across the UK, boosting the brand's footprint across England and Wales. The additions will bring 672 Hilton rooms to Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Doncaster, Hull, Peterborough, Runcorn, Sunderland, Wakefield, and Washington, with the hotels expected to open between late 2026 and 2028.
Paul Blackmore, vice president, development, UK & Ireland, Hilton, said: “These signings underline the strength of demand for Spark by Hilton we are seeing from owners across the UK. With nearly 700 rooms in the pipeline, including the brand's first hotel in Wales, Spark continues to gain momentum as owners recognize the strength of its value proposition and its ability to meet the needs of today's travelers.”
The signings will take the brand into several new Hilton markets, including Derby, Runcorn, Wakefield, and Washington, and are part of a strategic agreement with AG Hotels Group, a UK hotel owner and operator with a growing nationwide portfolio.
Girish Grover, founder & CEO, AG Hotels Group, said: “We are delighted to partner with Hilton to expand Spark by Hilton across the UK. This landmark agreement is closely aligned with AG Hotels Group’s mission to create happy, thriving places nationwide and represents an important step in the next phase of our growth. Our strategy is to build a scaled, high-quality hospitality platform by acquiring, repositioning, and investing in well-located hotels across the UK, combining strong operational capability with leading global brands. We see significant opportunity to grow our portfolio through further acquisitions, conversions, and strategic partnerships, and we look forward to working with Hilton as we continue to expand."
Across the portfolio, the hotels are strategically located near major employment centers, transport hubs, and visitor attractions. Highlights include a hotel overlooking Doncaster Racecourse, a property adjacent to Derby railway station, an A1-connected hotel in Peterborough serving one of the UK's largest logistics corridors, and locations in Sunderland and Washington benefiting from proximity to manufacturing operations in the North East. Cardiff's hotel will strengthen Hilton's presence in the Welsh capital, while Runcorn, Wakefield, and Hull provide access to key industrial, logistics, and leisure destinations across northern England.
Hilton also recently signed an agreement with SMAR Hotels Ltd to bring Scotland’s first Spark by Hilton to Dunfermline. Located approximately 17 miles northwest of Edinburgh, the 53-room hotel will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment before opening in late 2026, offering dining spaces, meeting facilities, and guest parking.
The latest signings reflect continued owner interest in Spark by Hilton's conversion-friendly model, which enables existing hotels to reposition under a globally recognized brand while benefiting from Hilton's commercial platform and award-winning Hilton Honors loyalty program.
Launched in 2023, Spark by Hilton continues to expand its presence across Europe and the Middle East, with recent announcements marking further growth in Italy and Spain, alongside the brand's debut in Saudi Arabia. Worldwide, Spark by Hilton now has over 275 open hotels, with more than 200 properties in the development pipeline.
Learn more about Spark by Hilton at stories.hilton.com/spark-by-hilton and SparkbyHilton.com.
The following hotels have been signed through Hilton's strategic agreement with AG Hotels Group and are expected to open between late 2026 and 2028. The portfolio spans a diverse mix of UK markets, including regional capitals, major manufacturing centers, logistics hubs, and established leisure destinations.
Spark by Hilton Cardiff North (51 rooms): Located near the A48 and M4 corridor, the hotel will provide convenient access to Cardiff's government, business, and healthcare sectors, as well as major visitor attractions including Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Bay, and Principality Stadium.
Spark by Hilton Coventry Walsgrave (48 rooms): Situated close to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire and key business parks, the hotel is well positioned to serve one of the UK's leading centers for advanced engineering, automotive innovation, and higher education.
Spark by Hilton Derby Station (100 rooms): Located between Derby railway station and the city center, the hotel will serve a market driven by aerospace, rail engineering, and manufacturing, alongside visitors exploring the nearby Peak District National Park.
Spark by Hilton Doncaster East (51 rooms): Overlooking Doncaster Racecourse and close to major logistics facilities, the hotel benefits from a strategic location within one of the UK's most important distribution and freight corridors.
Spark by Hilton Hull Central (51 rooms): Positioned near Hull city center, the Port of Hull, and MKM Stadium, the hotel will serve a city recognized as a leading hub for maritime trade, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.
Spark by Hilton Peterborough Norman Cross (99 rooms): Located just off the A1(M), the hotel is ideally placed to support one of the UK's busiest logistics and distribution locations, while also serving visitors to Peterborough's historic cathedral city and events venues.
Spark by Hilton Runcorn (53 rooms): Adjacent to Runcorn railway station and within easy reach of Liverpool and Manchester, the hotel will serve a market supported by major industrial employers, logistics operations, and regional business travel.
Spark by Hilton Sunderland Northern Spire Bridge (63 rooms): Located near the Stadium of Light, Sunderland's business parks, and key manufacturing centers, the hotel will benefit from demand generated by one of the UK's largest automotive production clusters.
Spark by Hilton Wakefield South (77 rooms): Situated within Monckton Business Park close to the M1 and M62 motorways, the hotel is well placed to support one of the country's most significant logistics, distribution, and manufacturing regions.
Spark by Hilton Washington Newcastle South (79 rooms): Located between Newcastle and Sunderland, the hotel will serve a thriving industrial and logistics market, with strong connectivity to major business parks, manufacturing facilities, and regional transport routes. ..- Continue reading (Members Only) - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here
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