InterContinental Hotels Group has confirmed the UK debut locations for its boutique brand Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and its recently launched upscale brand, voco Hotels.
This move follows the announcement made in May of an agreement with Covivio (formerly Foncière des Régions), to rebrand and operate 12 high-quality open hotels in the UK and one pipeline hotel.
Nine of the hotels join IHG’s brand portfolio today, while the remaining three open hotels are anticipated to be added in the coming weeks.
Kenneth Macpherson, chief executive officer, EMEAA, IHG, commented: “I am delighted to be able to confirm the UK debut locations for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and our new upscale brand, voco Hotels.
“By launching these brands in prime city centre and destination locations around the country we will give our guests even greater choice.
“The expansion of our global footprint in high-growth luxury and upscale segments is gaining momentum, with IHG now the leading luxury operator in the UK.”
IHG will launch its luxury boutique brand Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in the UK in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Renowned for their innovative and playful design and personal approach to guest service, the Kimpton hotels will each be in prime UK city-centre locations.
In London, the hotel will be based in the literary neighbourhood of Bloomsbury, while the Principal Manchester, the hotel that occupies the corners of Oxford Street and Whitworth Street, has been earmarked for rebranding further north.
The Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square, originally built in 1791, and, in Glasgow, The Principal Blythswood Square Hotel, complete the line-up.
The news follows the signing of the first Kimpton in Japan, in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, last week as well as the signing of three properties in prime markets in south-east Asia and Greater China last year.
The recently launched upscale brand voco Hotels will be making its UK debut in Cardiff.
Overlooking Cardiff Bay, The Principal St. David’s Hotel, will take on the voco brand later this year.
It is expected that further voco Hotels will be coming to the UK soon, each will keep their individuality but with the reassurance of a global brand.