Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 4 / Trend /
The Hilton Baki hotel complex has opened in the center of Baku.
President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony.
The First Lady of Azerbaijan was presented with flowers.
President Ilham Aliyev cut a ribbon symbolizing the opening of the hotel.
The Hilton Baki hotel complex was built in accordance with an agreement signed between ISR Capital Management LLC and Hilton Worldwide in 2007. The 25-storey hotel, which the Turkish company Koray Inşaat began constructing in early 2010, has a total of 309 rooms, including 231 standard rooms and rooms with different level of service. The rooms meet the highest standards and command a splendid panoramic view of the city and the Caspian Sea. The hotel has five modern elevators manufactured in Finland.
The head of state reviewed the Şəkər-Lanç and Silantro restaurants for 200 people. It was mentioned that the restaurants will offer customers exquisite dishes of Azerbaijani and various international cuisines.
While President Aliyev was examining the 25th floor of the hotel, he was informed that a rotating observation platform was set up there for the first time in Azerbaijan. It rotates 360 degrees in one hour. A variety of consumer services will be on offer here. In the warmer months of the year, the top floor of the hotel, which has all the necessary conditions for open-air recreation, will command a panoramic view of Baku.
President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the Sky Grill restaurant on the 24th floor of the hotel. Visitors here will be provided with a wide range of consumer services. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool in the SPA and fitness center, a massage pool, Turkish baths, eight treatment rooms and a VIP SPA room. All fitness equipment has been delivered from the USA.
While touring the presidential suite on the 21st floor, the head of state was informed that the best services existing in the global hospitality industry will be available here.
It was mentioned that the second and third floors have a total of 18 rooms equipped with the latest information and communication technologies for hosting activities and meetings of various levels. The large conference hall for 750 people on the second floor has the necessary conditions for conducting activities of international and national importance. There is a separate room for high-level meetings and receptions.
President Ilham Aliyev met with the staff of the hotel, and congratulated them.
"Start of activities of the Hilton hotel chain in Azerbaijan is also a very significant event that testifies for rapid development of the country. The service sector also develops in Azerbaijan. Commissioning of such a famous hotel chain in Azerbaijan is itself an indication," Aliyev said.
President Aliyev believes Hilton Baku is the evidence to investors' confidence in Azerbaijan's development.
"Huge investments are being put in various spheres in Azerbaijan and industry is intensively developing. I am very pleased that large amounts of investment also made in the service sector. Establishment of hotels also testifies for the growing interest of foreign tourists in Azerbaijan, increasing number of people visiting the country to get acquainted with its history and culture, and now we have every opportunity to be a good host," he said.
Aliyev noted that construction of new fine hotels is underway throughout Azerbaijan, including Baku and regions.
"Six five-star hotels will open in Baku in 2011 and 2012 and Hilton Baku is the second among them. So, 4 more hotels will be opened in Baku and this, of course, very pleased with me as president. This will lead to the increased competition among hotels and, ultimately, create better conditions for tourists, visitors residing here. Healthy competition in all areas is very important for Azerbaijan's development. Our state has done much to encourage investment in Azerbaijan in recent years. Some $16 billion was invested in the country's economy in 2010. The volume of investments hit $100 billion over the past 15 years in Azerbaijan. The domestic investment has recently exceeded the foreign ones. It is important that investments are made not only in oil and gas sector, but also in non-oil sector and service sector. Opening of Hilton Baku confirms my words," Aliyev said.
The President expressed hope that specific projects related to development will be implemented in Azerbaijan, including Baku and regions, in the future.
"The Azerbaijani government will further make every effort to ensure that Baku and regions have become comfortable and beautiful. Baku is indeed one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Baku is rapidly developing. Baku's feature is that our city has beautiful, great, unique history and culture, historical monuments. We are proud that the ancient history of Baku is guarded, preserved, and major steps are taken toward modernization and development," he said.
President of the ISR Holding, Iskandar Khalilov, and vice-president of Hilton Worldwide, Michael Collini, thanked the head of state and the First Lady of Azerbaijan.
In conclusion, a picture was taken.
President Ilham Aliyev praised the work done and wished the hotel team further success.
