Today the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica opened its doors to its first guests, becoming the first Hilton to operate in Iceland. The hotel, run by Icelandair Hotels under a franchise agreement with Hilton, is the largest in Iceland and considered to be one of region’s flagship hotel properties.

Jón Karl Ólafsson, CEO of Icelandair Group said: "This partnership with Hilton is a major step for us to grow our Icelandair Hotels operation, bringing international recognition and brand image second to none. The Hilton brand gives us access to valuable resources and customers which we intend to utilise to the fullest, especially in the area of meetings and conferences”. He added: “The opening of the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica marks a new chapter for this great hotel and will help to strengthen Iceland’s position as one of the world’s leading travel destinations".

Magnea Þórey Hjálmarsdóttir, Managing Director for Icelandair Hotels commented: "This agreement will only strengthen our existing good operation. It is a perfect match”. The company’s success has been achieved first and foremost with the qualified staff at our hotels. Our company has grown rapidly and is now one of the leading hotel operations in Iceland. The agreement with the Hilton chain is a further positive step in line with this strategy”.

Welcoming the opening of the hotel, Wolfgang M. Neumann, President of Hilton Hotels Europe, said: “This leading conference hotel, which is very well known domestically as the most advanced international hotel in town, is a fantastic addition to our European portfolio and we look forward to establishing the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica as the number one hotel for business and leisure guests in the capital. Iceland’s spectacular scenery, combined with its strategic location, mean that Iceland’s has become, and will continue to be, one of the most fashionable getaway destinations for both European and American travellers.”

Commenting on the partnership with Icelandair Hotels, Neumann added: "It is only fitting that Hilton's first entry into the Icelandic market is in partnership with the country's leading tourism airline and hotel group, allowing us to further strengthen and expand our offering of leisure and business hotels across the Nordic region."

Situated in the heart of Reykjavik, just a short walk from the city's historic harbour, the hotel, formerly known as the Nordica Hotel, has undergone a refurbishment and rebranding programme.

The hotel has 252 recently refurbished rooms which have been designed to reflect crisp Nordic style with a minimalistic but functional elegance and offer guests the very best in upscale room facilities and amenities. The Executive lounge is an exclusive, high rise retreat, with a window on Reykjavik’s most stunning views. The lounge serves exclusively 23 executive rooms and the 3 suites.

Rooms are also equipped with high-speed Internet access and wireless connectivity, which is also available throughout the hotel.

Guests can enjoy the very best in contemporary Icelandic and international cuisine at the hotel’s highly regarded gourmet VOX Restaurant, Bistro and Bar.  VOX is also renowned for its catering service for bigger conferences and events at the hotel, as well as operating a very popular VOX on Wheels catering service for the most extravagant events taking place in Reykjavik city.

Meanwhile, for the conference and incentives market the hotel provides extensive facilities, including Iceland's largest conference space catering for up to 650 people, complimented by two private boardrooms and 11 Hilton meeting rooms supported by a separate conference centre and full business facilities with ample parking.

Other facilities at the hotel include Nordica Spa; the ultimate escape to nurture and soothe the mind, body and soul. Wood, natural stone and earthly colours set the tone for an unforgettable spa experience. The spa offers 11 treatment rooms, two aroma steam rooms, two hot tubs where guests receive a head and shoulder massage, a relaxation pool as well as a high-performance fitness centre and an outdoor terrace just off the fitness centre, which is a perfect breath-catcher along with the outdoor sauna.

Hilton Hotels Corporation now operates seven properties across the Nordic region, with hotels in Stockholm, Malmö, Copenhagen and Helsinki, including the recently opened Hilton Helsinki Vantaa Airport.

About Hilton Hotels Corporation
Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) is the leading global hospitality company with more than 2,800 hotels and 480,000 rooms in 76 countries and territories, including 100,000 team members worldwide.

The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded brands, including Hilton®, Conrad Hotels & Resorts®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites® , Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations™, Homewood Suites by Hilton® and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection®.

The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton's philosophy that, "It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality." The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable®. The philosophy is shared by all brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity.

For more information please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.