NEW YORK | Franklyn Hotels and Resorts, the pan-European specialist in small luxury lifestyle hotels, is looking to extend the collection onto a global stage. The group plans to establish a presence in North America and Asia by 2010, with an initial expansion into New York, Singapore, China, Indonesia and Thailand. This has followed KOP Group's recent investment in Stein Management Company, parent company of Franklyn Hotels and Resorts, and the subsequent appointment of Michael Sagild to the position of Chief Executive Officer.

Franklyn Hotels and Resorts is a unique, pioneering brand of luxury boutique hotels delivering individual luxury to guests seeking an alternative to large, chain-operated hotels. The portfolio focuses on iconic, emblematic properties situated in urban centers as well as areas of great natural settings.

These objectives will be achieved in alignment with key partner KOP Group, a diversified real estate and private equity company, who themselves have created waves in the real estate industry in Singapore with their bold vision and exciting projects. KOP Group, through its subsidiary, KOP Hotels and Resorts, will use its fund to invest in hotel projects and acquisition.

CEO Michael Sagild says, "Our key focus with Franklyn is on strategic growth with a global rather than Eurocentric outlook. Through harnessing the strong fundamental work of Franklyn's portfolio and philosophy, we will roll-out a distinctive, innovative brand of luxury boutique hotels onto a wider geographic platform - achieved alongside KOP Group. While developing luxury living to new levels of excellence, Franklyn will become an established brand in North America and Asia. Within two years, our guests will be able to enjoy this exceptional level of service and quality in North America and Asia, be it during their stay in Franklyn Hotels and Resorts, or when dining at a Franklyn Restaurant."

Why Franklyn?

Stein Hotels and Resorts has rebranded as Franklyn Hotels and Resorts and now extends the collection onto a global stage. Following intensive research, the company's name was subsequently developed with "Franklyn" offering a polysyllabic moniker that positions itself alongside other world-class hotel brands such as Morgans, Aman, COMO and Starwood. Franklyn is a bi-syllabic name, consisting of a free morpheme, "Frank," and a suffix, "lyn," and enjoys a rich cultural heritage through its etymology. The historical resonance of the name itself alludes to the notion of classicism – with the classic and contemporary forming core brand values of the company - and it also conjures warm associations of American hospitality. The etymology of Franklyn derives from a broad range of positive concepts: it carries the meaning of a frank or seal, it also denotes sincerity, authenticity and honor. The Franklyn brand will act as a seal of approval, guaranteeing a level of quality and luxury, whether it be in a Franklyn Hotel, Resort, Restaurant or Spa.

Kathleen Duda
KVD Communications
212-329-7259
Franklyn Hotels and Resorts