Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos wants to grow its international hotel portfolio to 75 properties in the long-term.

The group, which is famous for its Hard Rock Cafés, has ambitious plans in the hotel market and opens its first operation in Europe in Madrid this summer.

Denise Grant, development director Europe for the group, said at the International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin yesterday (7 March), that it planned to have 20 to 25 hotels in its portfolio by 2010.

“We are clear where we want to be located and that’s key gateway cities in Europe and the Middle East and the best beaches in the world,” she said.

Grant added that the group was trying to find a site in London, but had been frustrated twice on deals on mixed-use developments, because they included a mandatory element of social housing.

Hard Rock currently has 11 hotels predominately in North America.

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By James Garner

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