Malmaison founder prepares to establish corporate brand

New brand

Malmaison founder prepares to establish corporate brand

Report by PENNYRUSSELL

THE CREATOR of Malmaison Hotels, Ken McCulloch, is launching a brand called Columbus in the UK and overseas.

The first will open in Monaco next year and negotiations are underway for properties in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Newcastle, Dallas and New York.

Talks are most advanced for the property in Glasgow, McCulloch’s home city and where Malmaison began.

A Malmaison spokeswoman said McCulloch plans to establish a large international chain of hotels in a distinct Columbus style and with 120-180 rooms each.

She said Columbus hotels will be more upmarket than Malmaison properties but will charge lower rates than similar hotels in the sector. Rates will be kept low because the hotel will not offer services such as turn down, porters or business centres.

The spokeswoman said: “These are all things that other hotels offer but people don’t necessarily use.

“We’re also not going to offer huge banqueting facilities which sit empty; we’re going to offer small meeting rooms. We’re not going to have a huge reception because we want to make maximum use of space.”

Business facilities, such as PCs and Internet access, will be available in rooms. Each of the hotels will have restaurants which reflect their location.

Some will be new builds while others will be conversions. It will expand through ownership and management contracts.

The first property, the Columbus Monaco, is being converted from an existing hotel in Fontvielle. It is being closed in September and will reopen in April with 160 rooms and 20 suites.

McCulloch sold the Malmaison a year ago to US hotel group Patriot, which was then taken over by the US Wyndham chain.

McCulloch: will build upon the regional success of hotels such as the Malmaison in Edinburgh