Top hotels to get £100m revamp

Three of London's best-known hotels are to get £100 million between them to add new suites, bigger bars and spas.

The Berkeley, Claridge's and The Connaught will see major improvements. Their owner, the Maybourne Hotel Group, revealed the plans after it sold the Savoy for about £230 million, and changed its name from the Savoy Group.

First to be renovated will be The Connaught. Up to £30 million will be spent on 35 suites and a spa, and extending the bar area.

Architect Lord Rogers will be a consultant for improvements at The Berkeley, which are expected to include an extension on what is now a car park. At Claridge's, some 25 rooms will be added and a new spa will replace existing leisure facilities.

All three hotels attract stars visiting London. Kate Moss and Sophie Dahl are among the famous faces seen at Claridge's, where Gordon Ramsay has a flagship restaurant.

After selling the Savoy to Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal of Saudi Arabia, Maybourne wants to expand by managing hotels in New York and Paris.

A spokesman for Derek Quinlan, the former Dublin tax inspector who controls the group, said he would be keeping the three London hotels.