Dutch hotelier Golden Tulip is in negotiations for three London sites as part of its UK expansion drive.
It is looking at sites in the West End, City and periphery to build or lease three- to four-star hotels with up to 200 beds.
Golden Tulip UK plans to open 20 hotels over the next three years, mostly under its budget sector Tulip Inn brand.
Since 2002 it has opened Golden Tulip hotels in Birmingham and Manchester and Tulip Inns in Manchester and Glasgow.
Morley Fund Management has agreed to fund a further 15 Tulip Inns on a site-by-site basis, starting with a £4.6m project in Portsmouth.
Morley has acquired a one-acre (0.40ha) site at the North Harbour Business Park from Tesco.
The 108-bedroom hotel will be developed, then leased to Golden Tulip UK as operator.
Roberts said new-build Tulip Inns would open at Gateshead (115 beds) and Castleford (119 beds) this year.
He added: “Whilst this commitment with Morley clearly gives us a much higher standing, it does not prevent Golden Tulip UK from pursuing other development or financial options when sites become available, for example where developers wish to lease out the finished hotel themselves.”
References: EGi News 03/03/04
