InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced it is to open 11 new Holiday Inn hotels in the UK in a deal with Kew Green Hotels (KGH).

The properties were all formerly operated under the Courtyard by Marriott brand but have now agreed 20-year licence agreements with InterContinental.

KGH said the decision to reflag the hotels with the IHG brand was taken as it was felt a more appropriate fit for the full service properties.

Andrew Cosslett, chief executive of IHG said: “It is testament to the strength of the Holiday Inn brand that KGH wanted to convert these hotels to Holiday Inns. It is excellent to see this brand grow.

Backed by Moorfield Group and HBOS, KGH was formed in 2001 to develop and operate branded hotels in the UK – and currently has a 17-strong portfolio.

• The Barclay brothers have forked out almost £45m to raise their stake in IHG to 8.2% raising speculation that the endgame may be a full bid, reports the London Evening Standard.

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By Emily Manson

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