Quinlan Private, the Dublin-based property investment company, has confirmed that it is planning the international expansion of its Maybourne Hotel Group, which currently owns London's Claridge's, Berkeley and Connaught hotels.

It has been reported that the hotel group plans to open 20 five-star hotels during the next 10 years in Europe, Asia and the United States, but the details are to be formally announced later this month.

Instead of building new hotels, it is understood that Quinlan Private is likely to sign long-lease contracts to operate the hotels with the owners of the properties.

Maybourne chief executive, Stephen Alden, said that they would all be "iconic buildings" and that a lot of time has been taken behind the scenes to develop the brands which will have an "instant impact."

The first of these hotels is expected to open in 2009.

Maybourne was previously known as the Savoy Group until January 2005, after it was acquired by Quinlan Private.