Hotel operator Principal Hayley has insisted that the administration of property investment group aAim will not affect the six hotels sold to the group in 2006.

Grant Thornton was brought in last week to manage the administration of aAim, which also has 270 former Marston pubs in its portfolio. Principal Hayley sold six of its hotels to aAim for £265m in exchange for 25-year leases in 2006, which had the option for further 25-year lease extensions.

A spokesperson for Principal Hayley said: "The six assets which are part of this arrangement are totally unaffected as this Prop Co is not part of the administration." "Principal Hayley continues to actively look to add to its 21-strong portfolio with support from its shareholders. During 2008, the group has invested a total capital of £30m in its existing assets and successfully opened its first European properties in Paris and Barcelona."