Hilton Worldwide has signed franchise agreements for two Doubletree by Hilton hotels in Turkey, marking the company's debut in the country. One of the hotels will be in Istanbul and the other in Cappadocia and both are expected to open in mid-2010.

Doubletree by Hilton, Avanos-Cappadocia - owned by Ata Turizm Isletmecilik Tasimacilik - will offer 126 bedrooms, meeting facilities, a restaurant, bars, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a spa. The 172-room, new build Doubletree by Hilton, Istanbul-Old City - owned by Erpet Turizm Insaat Taahhut - will offer meeting facilities, a restaurant, lobby and rooftop bars, and fitness and Turkish sauna facilities. Located in the Old Peninsula area of Istanbul, the hotel will be close to major tourist destinations including the Grand Bazaar, Sultanahmet, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the historic Istanbul University building.

Ata Turizm Isletmecilik Tasimacilik is a Turkish-owned company, with existing leisure and tourism interests in the region. Erpet Turizm Insaat Taahhut is similarly Turkish-owned and has business interests in both construction and manufacturing.