Intercontinental Hotels Group has outlined plans for the rebranding of 13 new and existing properties across England, Scotland and Wales, with the Kimpton Hotels brand set to be introduced to the UK market.

Earlier this year IHG announced an agreement with real estate investment company Fonciere des Regions, which is purchasing 13 properties under the Principal Hotels and De Vere brands.

The group has now confirmed the rebranding plans for nine of the hotels, with four of those set to take on the Kimpton Hotels brand.

These are the recently opened Principal London, The Principal Manchester, The Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square, and The Principal Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow.

The London property will take on the Kimpton brand later this year, with the other three hotels set to rebrand in 2019.

Meanwhile The Principal St David’s Hotel will become the first UK hotel under IHG’s new Voco collection, and The Principal Edinburgh George Street will return to operating as an Intercontinental property by late 2019, having previously been marketed under the upscale IHG brand up until the mid 2000s.

The Principal Met Leeds Hotel will be rebranded under the Hotel Indigo offering in 2020, while The Principal York joins the IHG portfolio but will be rebranded “at a later stage”, and the De Vere Wotton House in Surrey will operate unbranded as Wotton House.

Three further properties – The Principal Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, the De Vere Oxford Thames and The Principal Oxford Spires Hotel – are expected to join the IHG portfolio later this year.

A 13th property – The Grand Birmingham – is currently undergoing refurbishment and is set to reopen next year. It’s not clear what brand this property will operate under.

Commenting on the news Kenneth Macpherson, CEO, EMEAA for IHG said:

“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.com