Hilton HHonors - Hilton to Open Hotel in Ushuaia Argentina?

I was looking up some stuff up about Tom Potter and came up with the following that I don't recall hearing about on FT. I would be interested in finding out more about the status of this (http://www.falkland-malvinas.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=5521):

Hilton to open in Ushuaia

Hilton International announced the construction of a new five star hotel in Ushuaia. The project was confirmed yesterday with the signing of an agreement with Yowen Hotel S.A. for the building of the southernmost hotel in the world. A US$13 million dollar investment will go into the hotel that will be finished in late 2006, or early 2007.

“We are proud to be able to confirm that Hilton International will have a new five star establishment in a city as beautiful as Ushuaia. The new hotel will have the style that Hilton International can give its establishments and will be an attraction for this Argentine region, visited by tourists from all over the world,” said Tom Potter, vice-president for Hilton International Latin America.

“The new Hilton Ushuaia will be a designed hotel, with 150 rooms, conference and event facilities, fitness, swimming pool, restaurant and bar, with a sophisticated yet warm style at the same time, on the banks of the Beagle Canal and surrounded by an incredible Patagonic forest,” said Massimo Praga, a partner of RED Hospitality Consulting in charge of the project.

“All of us who work at the Hilton Buenos Aires are very happy to announce that on the month of our fifth anniversary in the country, we will soon have a new Hilton Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego,” said Patricio Alvarez, general manager of Hilton Buenos Aires.

Anyone else hear about this (which may be a bit dated by now)?

Would be interesting to know if its under construction and the projected opening date. I expect to be there in early 2007 and would stay if it was open.

Hilton should get a hotel in Mendoza. Its a booming tourism part of Argentina. Currently the only 5 Star is the Hyatt but Sheraton have a hotel under construction.

So now it is Q2 and still no further details on the Hilton Ushuaia? I am looking for a July/August trip to southern Argentina and it would be great if there was a Hilton property down there for me. Has anyone been in the area and know if construction has even started?

So much for the Q1 2007 (http://hiltonworldwide.hilton.com/en/ww/promotions/pipeline_growth/index.jhtml) opening!

In this thread:

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124680&highlight=Exotic

Post # 12, an article is cited that mentions a new Hilton being built at Puerto Iguazu as well. I would love to know how close to being a reality that is (if at all) as well.

I won't climb to the top step of my soapbox, but I am mildly bummed to see a(nother) hotel going into Ushuaia. The city exists, largely as a tourist launch pad for Antarctica. More tourists in Antarctic waters. Great. True researchers didn't seem to be filling the hotels when I was last there. And it's not the convenient jump-off spot for Tierra del Fuego explorations.

I haven't been to Ushuaia in a decade or more, and was far from unsullied then; I can only imagine now. But it did have some simple charms about it.

In this thread:

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124680&highlight=Exotic

Post # 12, an article is cited that mentions a new Hilton being built at Puerto Iguazu as well. I would love to know how close to being a reality that is (if at all) as well.

Yeah, May 2006...thats my point. If Hilton is planning on opening any time soon, I would imagine something would have to be under construction.

I won't climb to the top step of my soapbox, but I am mildly bummed to see a(nother) hotel going into Ushuaia. The city exists, largely as a tourist launch pad for Antarctica. More tourists in Antarctic waters. Great. True researchers didn't seem to be filling the hotels when I was last there. And it's not the convenient jump-off spot for Tierra del Fuego explorations.

I haven't been to Ushuaia in a decade or more, and was far from unsullied then; I can only imagine now. But it did have some simple charms about it.

Like it or not, Argentina needs some tourist revenue and this place is a unique destination. Plus, if they wait until all the hotels are built, then nationalized them like everything else, instant infrastructure! Maybe that is what is causing the delay in construction.

In this thread:

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124680&highlight=Exotic

Post # 12, an article is cited that mentions a new Hilton being built at Puerto Iguazu as well. I would love to know how close to being a reality that is (if at all) as well.

I'm in Iguazu and can confirm that construction has started on a Hilton Golf Resort. I was told they started about 8 months ago but it may be another year until it is completed. It is on the right side of the main road coming from the airport into Puerto Iguazu just before entering the town. So at least there is progress.

Thanks! One more hotel on the more expansive Argentina side of the falls, but it sounds like it still is an inferior location compared to the Sheraton property within the national park and within view of the main falls.

Any new news about Ushuaia?

I'm in Iguazu and can confirm that construction has started on a Hilton Golf Resort. I was told they started about 8 months ago but it may be another year until it is completed. It is on the right side of the main road coming from the airport into Puerto Iguazu just before entering the town. So at least there is progress.

When I was in BA in 2005, I saw drawings of this hotel in a book at the BA Hilton. However, I didn't see anything about it when I was back there last month. On doing a bit of research, I found a mention that it would open in late 2008.

Thanks! One more hotel on the more expansive Argentina side of the falls, but it sounds like it still is an inferior location compared to the Sheraton property within the national park and within view of the main falls.

Any new news about Ushuaia?

I just got back from Ushuaia and there was certainly no large construction projects underway in the town. The Hotel Beagle is still the "big" hotel in the area and I am not sure where Hilton will (or has) purchased property. Cool little town though, I certainly hope one of the chains puts a nice property down there.

Can not wait until the spot in Iguazu is open although I might have to hit the SPG one first. I like options though.

Has anyone heard any updates on the Ushuaia property?

The inital press relesse said 2007. Someone else in the forum heard late 2008. Has construction even started? We are planning a trip to Argentina in Jan/Feb 2009.

I realize this was posted some time ago, but I still like the Sheraton - it is directly adjacent to the park and within the park borders. While others are arriving and checking in at the park entry and boarding the train for the park, you are IN the park seeing the toucans, monkeys and parrots - which flee by the time the hoards arrive.

Ditto at closing - you are seeing it all after the folks who have to exit the park have departed. And if you get a parkside room, you have a nice view of the falls, albeit slightly distant, dawn and dusk. :-:

Sounds like Hilton has opted for a golf resort and, probably, there is no opportunity to ever build a hotel situated like the Sheraton. And, no, Hotel das Cataratas on the Brazilian side can not compare - perhaps 80% or more of the falls parkways and walkways are on the Argentine side.

Ushuaia (may the property be waling distance from Tía Elvira's restaurant, ;)) well, they are both still coming according to a note in this press release (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=88577&p=irol-newsArticleOther&ID=1021357&highlight=):

"About The Hilton Family of Hotels In Argentina
Hilton Hotels Corporation currently manages the Hilton Buenos Aires in Puerto Madero. The company will manage the Hilton Iguazú Resort scheduled to open in Iguazú Falls in late 2008, and the Hilton Ushuaia in the southernmost city of the world, scheduled to open in 2009."



I just got back from Ushuaia and there was certainly no large construction projects underway in the town. The Hotel Beagle is still the "big" hotel in the area and I am not sure where Hilton will (or has) purchased property. Cool little town though, I certainly hope one of the chains puts a nice property down there.

Can not wait until the spot in Iguazu is open although I might have to hit the SPG one first. I like options though.