Harrell Hospitality Europe has signed an agreement with property consultant TelCo Solutions to develop at least 10 new Courtyard by Marriott hotels in the UK.
Harrell signed a letter of intent with Marriott in January 2004 to develop the three-star hotel brand across the UK and, ultimately, Europe.
Paul Harris, director of business development at Harrell, said he expected the first hotel to open within 18 months.
At present, the UK has just 11 Courtyards, which are managed by Kew Green Hotels and will continue to be run separately.
“They are focused along the M1 corridor,” said Harris, of the current Courtyards. “There are none in big cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham and these are the sort of places we are looking at.”
Harris said the focus would be on new-build hotels – the Kew Green properties are all conversions from Whitbread’s former Lansbury and Swallow hotels. However, Harrell will consider conversions of suitable sites.
The new hotels will target cities with populations in excess of 100,000.
Harris wants between 10-15 hotels under his belt before he turns his attention to the rest of Europe, which has a handful of Courtyards, including hotels in Amsterdam, Berlin and Galway.
Harrell Hotels Europe started as part of the US Harrell Hospitality Group but is now owned by investment company Red Leopard.
by Angela Frewin