Ascend Hotel Collection launches in the UK

Mark Pearce, senior vice president for Choice Hotels International - the company behind the Comfort, Quality, Clarion and Choice brands - said, “The launch of Ascend Hotel Collection in the UK is part of our strategy to continue diversifying our portfolio and provide the UK with a new upscale hotel offering. These two Edinburgh properties, which perfectly fit the Ascend Hotel Collection portfolio, give us a critical foothold in the UK that will support the accelerated rollout of the Ascend Hotel Collection in the UK and across Europe. We are delighted to welcome both the The Howard and Channings Hotel as the first UK Ascend Hotel Collection members.” Ascend Hotel Collection member hotels are distinctive, independent hotels, usually located in prime business or leisure travel destinations. The brand launched in 2008 and now has 148 hotels in destinations such as New York, Miami, Napa Valley, Sydney, Stockholm and Dublin.

The 18-room Howard is a discreet five-star property located in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. The hotel occupies three Georgian townhouses and offers suites and a two-bedroom serviced apartment called Mews Cottage.

Channings Hotel is a “quirky” property that comprises a number of townhouses with a Scottish country house feel. It is full of Victorian paintings, prints, books, furniture and memorabilia. Both hotels will continue to be owned and operated by The Edinburgh Collection and become Ascend Hotel Collection Members under a franchise agreement with Choice Hotels Europe.