Sol Melia and Hard Rock in tie up

SPANISH hotel group Sol Melia is joining forces with Hard Rock Hotels and Resorts to develop properties in the Americas and Europe.

The first property will be a 381-room location in Chicago, scheduled to open later this year.

Hard Rock said it is to contribute contracts to 1,300 rooms in the US and Caribbean while Sol Melia will offer management contracts for a minimum of three hotels before the end of June 2007.