Four-star migrant hotel hides Hilton signs after asylum seekers arrive in apparent bid to hide use from protesters
It was converted for all-male arrivals in November despite concerns from locals that it is near several schools.
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The DoubleTree name proudly on display
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All sign of the hotel chain is erased
Credit: Simon Jones
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The hotel ahead of the asylum switch
Credit: Supplied
Now bosses at The DoubleTree by Hilton in Cranford, West London — a few miles from Heathrow — have removed all trace of its old identity, covering up the fact it ever hosted tourists and business travellers.
Pictures show a large beige tarpaulin spread over a logo across the top of the building.
Others have gone or been covered up from the entrance and car park area.
Rooms at nearby DoubleTree hotels still open to the public cost between £91 and £260 a night.
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And snaps from the Cranford hotel last August show off its comfy rooms along with a gym and restaurant, though it is unclear if either of those are available to asylum seekers.
Its website simply tells guests trying to book that no rooms are available 'for those dates'.
Handing the hotel to migrants without warning has been criticised by a host of locals, including many of Asian heritage.
Umme Khanzada, who runs a local environment group, told The Sun on Sunday: 'The hotel has totally changed the community.
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'We are not against people coming to the UK or immigration, but the way this hotel has been opened is wrong.'
The mum, 49, added: 'My daughter tells me they stare at her. I don't feel safe walking through the streets. I went out to the park and one of the migrants told me, 'This is our park. It's not your park anymore'.
New migrant protest erupts as Home Office changes asylum seeker hotel plan
'I think they have covered the signs up to protect DoubleTree and Hilton's reputation.'
Emails between residents and Hounslow Council show locals being told: 'This decision was made by the Home Office without prior consultation with the local authority, stakeholders, or residents.
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'We understand the frustration and uncertainty this has caused.'
Last night ex-Tory minister Sir Alec Shelbrooke fumed: 'What the Government are doing quite frankly represents their utter failure on immigration. And the management of Hilton are taking the King's shilling from the Government, but they're not willing to let the public know that.'
The DoubleTree is leased by the Home Office through Clearsprings Ready Homes.
Its boss Graham King, dubbed the 'Asylum King', has a reported net worth of £750million.
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The DoubleTree tag on the outside of the building can be seen clearly
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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The DoubleTree tag has been hidden
Credit: Simon Jones
Hilton were approached for comment.
In London, a coach full of asylum seekers arrived at a controversial four-star Canary Wharf migrant hotel in the middle of the night.
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The Britannia International Hotel was closed to paying customers and converted into taxpayer-funded 'surge' accommodation for illegal arrivals last month.
When open to the public, a standard room cost up to £425 — though it will cost the Home Office £81 a night.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told The Sun: 'This is one of the most luxurious hotels people can only dream of staying in, right in the heart of London's financial centre. This is an insult to law-abiding citizens.'
The Government said: 'Since taking office, we have removed 35,000 people with no right to be here — up 28 per cent on the previous year. From 400 asylum hotels open in summer 2023, costing almost £9million a day, there are now less than 210. We want them all closed by the end of this Parliament.'
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ROOMS at the DoubleTree in Cranford come with massive double beds and TVs, the hotel's snaps show.
Some also have lounge chairs and tables where residents can sit and work, as well as grand dressing tables and mirrors.
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Rooms come with massive double beds and TVs
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Some also have lounge chairs and tables where residents can sit and work
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ARRESTS AT DEMO CLASHES
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Nine arrests were made after pro and anti-migrant groups scuffled at the Thistle City Barbican in Islington, North London
Credit: Reuters
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Similar scenes played out at the New Bridge Hotel in Newcastle
Credit: NNP
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In Manchester, Britain First held a march calling for mass deportations
Credit: AFP
PROTESTERS clashed with police yesterday in demonstrations across the UK outside hotels housing asylum seekers.
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Nine arrests were made after pro and anti-migrant groups scuffled at the Thistle City Barbican in Islington, North London.
Similar scenes played out at the New Bridge Hotel in Newcastle.
In Manchester, far-right group Britain First held a march calling for mass deportations.
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A coach full of suspected migrants was seen arriving at the establishment at around 1.40am on Saturday morning. Tower Hamlets Council confirmed the Government intends to use the hotel - which has around 500 rooms - for asylum seekers in a move that has angered anti-migrant protesters and guests whose bookings have been cancelled. Footage of the passengers getting off the coach showed they were all men, with the vast majority dressed in matching grey tracksuit tops and bottoms. They were helped by masked security guards, some of whom appeared to be wearing body cameras. Last week, workers were seen hauling beds and mattresses into the hotel in preparation for the arrival of 'hundreds' of asylum seekers. A barricade of metal fencing was placed around the hotel by the Metropolitan Police after anti-migrant demonstrators protested the plan for immigrants to be housed there. 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'From over 400 asylum hotels open in summer 2023, costing almost £9million a day, there are now less than 210, and we want them all closed by the end of this Parliament. People attempting to book a room at the Cranford hotel, pictured in a general view shot, online are greeted by a message saying that it is not available 'for those dates' 'We will continue to work closely with community partners across the country, and discuss any concerns they have, as we look to fix this broken system together. 'In the interim, the security of the local communities within which hotels are located will always be our first priority.' Protests have broken out across the country this summer, with more than 150 gathering outside The Park Hotel, in Diss, Norfolk last week after the Home Office announced plans to change it from housing asylum-seeker families to single men. 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