Hilton Announces Exclusive Agreement with YOTEL to Expand Global Footprint in Lifestyle Segment | News
Hilton has announced an exclusive agreement with YOTEL that will offer guests yet another way to stay within the hospitality leader’s growing global portfolio. With highly efficient hotels in urban markets, YOTEL has found pioneering ways to meet the changing needs of guests through stays with smart room design and smart technology-enabled features.
The franchise agreement with YOTEL expands Hilton’s network and addresses a clear 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 across 23 hotels in 10 countries, with the aim 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 lodging options for guests, with the trust and benefits they expect from Hilton. High-end, established hotel brands that join Select by Hilton will maintain their own identity and brand management while joining the award-winning Hilton Honors loyalty program and reaping the benefits of Hilton’s superior distribution and technology platforms.
Launched in London in 2007, YOTEL has expanded its innovative brand to hotels in key markets such as New York, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Glasgow and Singapore with smart, efficient room designs featuring the YOTEL SmartBed™, which converts from a flatbed to a sofa at the touch of a button, and advanced features such as automatic 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 portfolio of brands and provides guests with 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 of Hilton. “This agreement further strengthens our network effect by connecting a beloved independent brand like YOTEL to 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 changing the experience that defines YOTEL’s brand, which will continue to operate with the same quality, intelligent design and service style.
“Hilton brings unparalleled global distribution and loyalty scale to our brand and company,” said Phil Andreopoulos, CEO of 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 Hilton’s preferred 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.
