Radisson Edwardian plans to double the size of its 459-bedroom Heathrow hotel, making it the biggest conference hotel in Europe.
The private London hotel group, owned by multimillionaire Jasminder Singh, wants to expand the five-star property by 5,000sq ft, most of which will be used for conferencing.
A date for work to begin has not yet been confirmed, but the company aims to open the extended hotel in line with the opening of the airport's new Terminal 5.
Radisson Edwardian revealed its plans, which also include a spa and running track, as part of its new Free Thinking initiative to expand its conference business.
Linda Plant, Radisson Edwardian's marketing director, said the conference market was "extremely important" to the group. While the company is looking to expand outside London into city centres, prospective properties would have to be brand-enhancing and have extensive conference facilities, she said.
Conferencing currently contributes 30% of Radisson Edwardian's total turnover, with about £14m generated by Heathrow alone. A further £10m comes from its 10 hotels in central London, although Plant hopes this will increase following a massive refurbishment of the May Fair hotel, recently acquired from InterContinental Hotels Group.
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 23 - 29 October 2003