Macdonald Hotels has revealed that its new development and refurbishment programme represents an investment of £150m over the next two years.

The group, which operates more than 60 hotels around the UK, is pressing ahead with its strategy of defining Macdonald Hotels as a leading four-star brand and developments include opening new hotels, adding leisure clubs or conference facilities to existing hotels, extending bedrooms and general refurbishment work.

Sales and marketing director, Manju Goel, said: “Over recent months we have streamlined our portfolio to ensure we are moving in the right strategic direction. New openings and developments are happening all the time and we are focusing on a consistent product and service offering across all properties, ensuring our hotels have the same brand values.”

Last month, the company opened Holland House in Cardiff, a £21m four-star property with 165 bedrooms, a Vital Leisure Club and Spa plus the city’s largest conference and banqueting facilities, while this month, The Last Drop Village in Bolton opened a £2.5m Vital Leisure Club and Spa.

Macdonald’s Aviemore Highland Resort will reopen in July following a £30m refurbishment, while work has recently begun on a £23m city centre hotel for Sheffield which is due to open in the autumn 2005. The property will offer 161 rooms, a Vital Leisure Club and Spa and conference facilities.

The company also announced recently that it intends to spend £8m at the Tickled Trout in Preston to add a Vital Leisure Club and Spa, meeting facilities, additional rooms and a larger restaurant.

The Randolph in Oxford, The Bush at Farnham and Brandon Hall in Coventry are also all earmarked for development.

Macdonald Hotels has an annual turnover in excess of £240m. Details: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk