Edinburgh Principal hotel rejoins InterContinental

The Principal Edinburgh George Street hotel has rejoined the InterContinental brand after 14 years.

The 240-bedroom hotel operated as an InterContinental property until 2005, when it was sold to what was then Principal Hayley Group and became the George hotel. It was then renamed the Principal Edinburgh George Street following the launch of the Principal brand in 2016.

After the sale of the Principal group to French-group Covivio and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) last year

The property is an integration of a number of Georgian townhouses that were originally built in the 1780s.

Karan Khanna, managing director, UK & Ireland, IHG, said: "We are excited to grow our luxury presence in Scotland as we continue the integration of the Principal portfolio. Edinburgh is a key city in our home market so it's great to reintroduce our flagship brand, InterContinental, to the city. I am confident its arrival will receive a warm welcome and the team will deliver a great service to guests."

Tom Rowntree, vice president, global luxury brands, IHG, said: "InterContinental Edinburgh - The George is a fabulous addition to the brand, marking the return of InterContinental to Edinburgh.  We look forward to helping our guests unlock the heritage of this hotel and the enchanting city of Edinburgh."

InterContinental Edinburgh - The George is the third InterContinental in the UK, joining InterContinental London - Park Lane and InterContinental London - The O2. IHG has 349 hotels operating under eight brands in the UK, with a further 26 in the pipeline.

Of the 13 Principal properties sold, hotels in London, Edinburgh (Charlotte Square) and Glasgow (Blythswood Square) joined IHG's Kimpton brand, and the Cardiff property joined Voco, as did the De Vere Oxford Thames. De Vere Wotton House will operate unbranded as Wotton House.

Remaining properties include Manchester, which is due to join the Kimpton brand later this year, and the Leeds hotel is believed to be joining the boutique Hotel Indigo brand; while plans for properties in York, Glasgow (Grand Central), Oxford (Spires) and a development project in Birmingham are yet to be revealed.

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