DoubleTree by Hilton Varna-Golden Sands, the first global hotel brand to enter Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, has officially opened its doors to guests just as the summer season kicks off.

"We hope that this first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel open and welcoming guests in Bulgaria will lead to continued and fast-growing popularity of our upscale, full-service hotel offerings across the region and around the world," Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said at a press conference in Sofia on Wednesday.

Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, though a popular summertime leisure destination, has seen scarce penetration of global hotel brands. Palleschi however believes that it has developed significantly and is now in a position to attract a global brand.

"We are very confident in this region of the world, particularly in Bulgaria and Romania. The region will continue to grow and tourism is one of the fastest developing sectors," said Palleschi.

"We feel very fortunate that our brand was invited here and I am sure you'll see even more global brands moving in," he forecast.

Tetrareal AD, a company dealing with tourist services, hotel management, and real estate, signed last year franchise agreements with Hilton Worldwide for two Hilton-branded hotels in the Golden Sands resort – the DoubleTree by Hilton Varna, and the Hilton Varna, which is to be opened in a year.

The hotels are Hilton's first properties in Bulgaria outside the capital Sofia.

"We have been talking to Hilton for almost four years to get to this point today," Dr. George Veltchev, Chairman of the Board of Tetrareal AD told journalists and expressed hopes for more opportunities to develop Hilton brands in the country.

Meeting all specific requirements outlined as brand standards took one year, while the investment amounted to 40% of the initial value of a five-star hotel, he said.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Varna – Golden Sands is located 20 minutes from Varna, Bulgaria's third largest city, and 30 minutes from Varna International Airport.

Situated between the ancient, protected forests of Golden Sands National Park and the beautiful Black Sea beaches of the resort, the hotel promises guests a relaxing, summer leisure time, richly wooded forest walks, sandy golden beaches and clear blue waters.

It features 196 newly renovated guest rooms and suites.

"The buildings of Hilton hotels may look different, but the services and items offered are all the same around the world," said Rob Palleschi.

Guests of this latest DoubleTree by Hilton destination will enjoy the characteristic qualities found at the brand's more than 250 locations around the world, including the legendary chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest at check-in.

"The warm chocolate chip cookie is a symbol of a warm welcome, shared experience, pleasure, unexpected delight, a piece of home, an indulgence. It is a symbol of how we care for our guests," explained Claudio Sturm, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Varna – Golden Sands.

The hotel will aim to establish itself as one of Eastern Europe's leading leisure destinations for domestic and international travelers, he said.

DoubleTree by Hilton is a member of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels, whose network spans more than 250 hotel and resort locations across five continents.

In Eastern Europe, DoubleTree by Hilton most recently opened the newly built DoubleTree by Hilton Bratislava, its second hotel in Slovakia.

New DoubleTree by Hilton hotel developments are to be opened in Romania, Russia, Turkey and the UK during the next several months.