Hilton Hotels, one of the world's biggest hotel chains seems to be quite determined to construct a luxury five-star hotel on Wellington's waterfront as it believes the city has a strategic asset.

Hilton launched its plans for a $55 million redevelopment of the 120-year-old Terraces Hotel in Taupo yesterday, said that it was trying again in the capital.

Last year, the Environment Court destroyed an earlier attempt to build a Hilton on Wellington's Queens Wharf.

It was confirmed by a company spokeswoman that sites had been investigated in central Wellington, including along the waterfront, and there was a specific site in mind.

An official announcement would be made before the end of the year and presently negotiations are well advanced.

The standard of the Intercontinental and Museum hotels were high, said Wellington Tourism chief executive David Perks, who also said that a five-star Hilton would be a boon to the tourism sector.

Mr. Perks said, “Having the Hilton brand will send a message to customers around the world that Wellington is somewhere serious as a destination. There is also a loyal following among business travellers who only stay at the Hilton, and at the moment we're missing out on that.”

Mr. Perks, who did not speculate on sites for the hotel, did inform that the central city's compactness meant anywhere downtown would work.

It won’t be wrong to say that Hilton Hotel would provide a positive boost to the city's economy.

(via TopNews New Zealand. Contributed by Kohia Dennison)