Nigel Chapman and Nicholas Dickinson, founders of Alias Hotels, are looking for a number of new sites in the UK to expand their stylish, but affordable chain of hotels.

Formed three years ago, the company already operates Kandinsky in Cheltenham and Barcelona in Exeter (2002 Designer Hotel of the Year) and is due to open Westbourne in London in September, followed by Rossetti in Manchester in October. With five penthouses and a sophisticated club offer, Rossetti will be the group's flagship site. Seattle is scheduled to open in Brighton next January with Ropewalks in Liverpool planned for spring 2003. Chapman, who designs the hotels, believes there are up to 80 potential sites in the UK for Alias hotels.

The hotels are aimed at the middle income, no tie (MINT) market - fashionable, but discerning 25 to 40-year-old couples with no children. The hotels also feature restaurants, bars and night clubs.