Hilton Worldwide has signed a franchise agreement with Hotel Zakrzowek to open a Hilton Garden Inn (HGI) hotel in Krakow, Poland.

Scheduled to open in the spring of 2010, the hotel will become the first HGI in the country and is set to be the brand's 500th hotel worldwide. When it opens, HGI Krakow will offer 154 rooms across six floors, all featuring the brand's key signature offerings including the Garden Sleep System bed, ergonomic Mirra chair by Herman Miller, a 24-hour business centre and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access.

A lobby and reception area will feature a lounge area and bar, as well as the HGI 24-hour Pavilion Pantry offering a selection of food and beverage options. A contemporary restaurant will also offer made-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as evening room service. Other facilities are to include four meeting rooms, a complimentary fitness centre with Precor gym equipment and underground parking.

The new build hotel will be set on the banks of the Vistula River on Marii Konopnickiej Street with views of the city's iconic Wawel Castle. It joins an existing Hilton Worldwide hotel in Poland, the Hilton Warsaw Hotel and Convention Centre. Two further full service Hilton properties are planned, one in Gdansk and one in Wroclaw, Hilton Worldwide having identified Poland as one of its key European growth markets for the roll out of its portfolio of hotel brands. Pic: With views of Wawel Castle