Hilton Worldwide is to open a new Hilton Garden Inn in Venice, Italy.

Hilton signed a franchise agreement with Venezia Capitol for the 136-bedroom Hilton Garden Inn Venice/Mestre San Giuliano, which will boast a lounge area and bar, a 24-hour Pavilion Pantry, a restaurant, an outdoor pool, a fitness suite and a business centre.

The hotel will be Hilton’s ninth Garden Inn in Italy, six of which are already open.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president of development for Hilton Worldwide, said: “Following the opening of the Hilton Molino Stucky in 2007, we are delighted to be adding a second hotel to the Venice market.

“The signing of the Hilton Garden Inn Venice/Mestre San Giuliano demonstrates the significant growth and popularity of the brand both in Italy and across Europe.”

Hilton Garden Inn’s senior vice president Adrian Kurre added: “We firmly believe that we can continue to establish this brand as the leading mid-market hotel choice for both domestic and international travellers in Italy.”

The hotel is scheduled to open by summer 2010.