Silverstone has long been seen by many in the Formula 1 paddock as being lacking in many of the most basic facilities that visitors to modern F1 circuits now expect as standard offerings; one of these being a large hotel anywhere near the circuit.
Until now teams and fans have been largely limited to finding a room in Northampton, more than 15 miles from the track. So when it was recently announced that a new large hotel would be built alongside the circuit, it was greeted with caution as this was not the first time such plans had been unveiled, only not to be built.
But now it has been confirmed by Hilton Hotels that the group will open one of their Garden Inn properties opposite the Silverstone Wing on the outside of the track, and, that it will indeed be open in time for next year’s British Grand Prix.
The five-storey, 197-room hotel will directly overlook the starting grid, and will be connected to the existing Silverstone Wing Conference Centre via a footbridge crossing over the circuit. This will be the first ever cross-track over or underground link to the new Wing complex.
The hotel will feature a rooftop terrace with views of most of the track, balconies for the track facing rooms, a new restaurant, and a coffee shop. The company plans to operate the hotel year round and not just during events at the circuit.
Formula 1 owner Liberty Media recently reached an agreement with Silverstone to stage the British Grand Prix at the circuit until at least 2024, and Hilton has confirmed that it is scheduled to be completed in time for next year’s grand prix.
“We now operate Hilton hotels at many sporting venues around the UK including Wembley Stadium, the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground and The Ageas Bowl cricket ground in Southampton,” said Graham Dodd, managing director for development (UK and Ireland) at Hilton.
“We are delighted to be opening a Hilton Garden Inn in such a prominent and internationally significant motor racing location and we cannot wait to begin welcoming guests next year.”
